Astronomy and Mathematics in Ancient China: The 'Zhou Bi Suan Jing'

Needham Research Institute Studies

by Christopher Cullen

This translation of an ancient Chinese book on astronomy (which is believed to date back to the first century AD) provides the non-specialist with a lucid account of how Chinese astronomers did their work in ancient times. The book also shows how the Chinese imperial government made use of and supported the work of astronomers, and explores the links between astronomy and politics. It will be of equal interest to historians of science and those studying the history of Chinese culture.

255 pages, Hardcover

First published April 26, 1996

Reviews

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

If we take the wuyun liuqi seriously, this book is very important for us, especially in that Cullen shows us how there was a paradigm shift following the Han where the "time-based" universe became spatial...