Humanities Perspectives on Science, Technology, and Engineering in China

Abstract

Educated initially in mathematics and science, Liu Dachun describes the important role books and literature played in his life and how they comforted him during the Cultural Revolution. Turning to his arrival at Renmin University of China during the Reform and Opening, he reviews contributions to the promotion of academic standards and development of the study of the dialectics of nature into the philosophy of science and technology. His own research focus during these years was on science as activity, complementary methodology, and the scientific-technological revolution. Many areas manifested tensions between adopting international scholarly norms and maintaining Chinese traditions. A lengthy concluding discussion considers relationships between science, technology, engineering, and industry, leading into an analysis of science policy challenges in China.