Lecture: Sinology and history of science（Iwo Amelung）

IHNS 

Topic: Sinology and history of science—Some examples from Franfurt University

Lecturer: Iwo Amelung

(Interdisciplinary Center for East Asian Studies, Frankfurt University)

Time ：14:00 pm, September 18, 2012

Address：Meeting Room 510, IHNS

Abstract：In its earliest phase research on the history of Chinese science and technology is closely related to European Chinese studies or sinology. In this report I will attempt to use two cases, related to Frankfurt University, in order to show, in which way sinology had an impact on the historiography of Chinese science and technology.

By looking into the case of Willy Hartner, we can see, in which way philological methods as employed by Western sinologist influenced research into the history of science and technology. By drawing attention to Karl August Wittfogel, who got his PhD from Frankfurt University as well, we can see, how “great questions” about the nature of Chinese culture and society could influence research on the history of Chinese science and technology. The case of Wittfogel is of particular interest, since Wittfogel not only influenced Western historians of science as particular Joseph Needham but Chinese scientists as well.

Introduction of the lecturer：Prof. Dr. Iwo Amelung, Professor for Interdisciplinary Center for East Asian Studies at Frankfurt University since 2007. He obtained his Ph.D from FU Berlin in 1999, and Habilitation from University of Erlangen-Nuremberg in 2005. Before he came to Frankfurt, he was the Managing Director of European Centre for Chinese Studies at Peking University. He had chaired the Institute of Chinese History and Culture at the Department of Chinese and Korean Studies, Tübingen University in 2004-2005. He was awarded the honor of Visiting Professorship for Senior International Scientists in 2011.Lecture: Sinology and history of science（Iwo Amelung）