“Observing Qi” or “Testing Qi”: The Introduction of European Thermometers at the Qing Court and the Collision of Chinese and Western Cosmologies

Date(s)： 2024/10/28

Time： 14:00~16:00

Venue： Research 1st Meeting Room

Host： 張哲嘉教授（中研院近史所副研究員）

Speaker：Mrs. 韓奇金（Department of Chinese Studies, University of Tübingen, Germany博士候選人）

Organizer： History of Knowledge Research Group

Abstract:
The use of the Chinese word for temperature (wendu 溫度) can be traced back to the late nineteenth century, and the widespread application of thermometers began even later. As a matter of fact, early models of thermometers were presented to the Manchu emperors more than once by Jesuit missionaries at the Qing court. Along with many other scientific instruments, they became the strategic tools to arouse the interest of the authorities and further ensure the development of Christianity in China. What do existing written records of these exchanges tell us about the patterns of such knowledge transmission? Additionally, how did the collision between Chinese and Western cosmologies manifest regarding the concept of qi? This presentation will discuss these questions. Comments, suggestions, questions, and corrections are more than welcome.

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