JOURNAL OF DIALECTICS OF NATURE
A Comprehensive, Academic Journal of the Philosophy, History, Sociology and Cultural Studies of Science and Technology
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Vomule 47, Issue 5
May, 2025
Newton in the Calendar: Multidimensional Translation and Introduction of Newtonian Theories in the Chinese and Western Almanac

Abstract: The Chinese and Western Almanac (1852-1866) introduced various aspects of Newton’s theories, marking a crucial phase in the introduction of Newtonian thought to China. However, related research has been relatively weak, mainly due to limited source materials. The 1853 almanac introduced Newton’s theories of conic sections and precession, and listed his major scientific discoveries. The “Theory of Universal Attraction” published in the 1854 almanac presented the first complete introduction of the law of universal gravitation and its astronomical applications, while the “Essentials of Optics” in the same volume provided an early introduction to Newton’s optical experiments and theories. The “Elementary Fluid Mechanics” serialized in the almanac from 1855 to 1857 contained Newton’s principles of fluid dynamics. The original source texts for these translations have also been verified through textual research.


Key Words: Newton’s theories; Chinese and Western Almanac; “Universal Gravitation”; “Essentials of Optics”; “Elementary Fluid Mechanics”


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https://jdn.ucas.ac.cn/public/uploads/files/67f733f254f2e.pdf


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© 2014 Copyright of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences