The Introduction of Aristotelian Mechanics in the Late Ming and Early Qing Dynasties and Its Influence

Aristotelian mechanics and Newtonian mechanics have an inherited relationship but they are largely different mechanics theories. This paper analyzes the Aristotelian mechanics in the Chinese translation of western books for the first eastward spread of western learning, and the scholars' acceptance of these knowledge and ideas in the Ming and Qing Dynasties. This paper draws the following conclusions. (1) The Aristotelian mechanics and its medieval reform “theory of impetus” were basically introduced to China during the first eastward spread of western learning. (2) The scholars in the late Ming and early Qing Dynasties did not pay much attention to the Aristotelian mechanics introduced at that time. And those western learning was mixed with Chinese traditional knowledge when disseminating. (3) Aristotelian mechanics introduced during the first eastward spread of western learning was refound by scholars in the late Qing Dynasty, but it was mixed with Newtonian mechanics, and caused some hindrance in the process of people in the late Qing Dynasty accepting the concept of "force" in Newtonian mechanics.