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Sinology is the study of China using a combination of western and traditional Chinese methodologies, concepts, and theories. Some would date its origins as far back as Marco Polo in the 13th century. The systematic study of China began in the 16th century, when missionaries, notably Matteo Ricci, introduced Christianity to China. Early sinological research often concentrated on the compatibility of Christianity with Chinese culture.

During the Enlightenment, sinologists started to introduce Chinese philosophy, ethics, legal system, and aesthetics into the West. Though often unscientific and incomplete, this work inspired the development of Chinoiserie and a series of debates comparing Chinese and Western cultures. At that time, sinologists sometimes described China as a enlightened kingdom, comparing it to Europe, which had just emerged from the Dark Ages. Among those interested in China were Voltaire, French philosopher and writer who is known for his play The Orphan of China (1758).

In the 18th and 19th centuries, other missionaries such as James Legge (1815–1897) pushed for the establishment of sinology as a discipline in western universities. In 1837, Samuel Kidd (1797–1843) became England's first professor of Chinese. Secular scholars gradually came to outnumber missionaries, and in the 20th century sinology slowly gained a substantial presence in Western universities. In modern history, Sinology has seen its influence in politics, due to its role in think tanks.

Though criticized by some, sinology remains the dominant mode for the academic study of China in the west.

Etymology

Sino, derived from Sina, sino, qina, chin, possibly refers to the Qin Dynasty, the first dynasty to unite China. See //en.wikipedia.org/wiki/China#Terminology Etymology of China.

In China, sinology is often called 國學 (Guóxué, National Studies) or Han Studies (漢學). It is called 漢學 (kangaku) in Japanese.

Sinologists

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Further reading

Sinology

Sinologi | Sinologie | Ĉinologo | Sinologie | Sinologia | Sinologia | Sinologia | Sinologi | 汉学

 

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the "Sinology".

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