近代科學與民主先驅：沈學之短促生命光華(1873-1900)

Abstract

Shen Hsueh (1873-1900), a native of Wu District, Jiangsu Province, studied medicine at St. John's College, and started his doctor career at Tongjen Hospital in Shanghai. When he was nineteen, Shen began to write ”Universal System”, which was completed in 1895, then translated into Chinese by himself. He aimed at improving Chinese language in order to expand new knowledge and popularize education and bring wealth as well strength for the country. As an erudite scholar in Chinese and Western learning and an expert in medicine, Shen's study of language took an approach of human anatomy. He used the concepts of articulation, places of articulation, and the vocal structure inside the ear and throat to identify pitch, amplitude, and tenseness in order to differentiate words, phrases, articulation, as well as all other elements of speech. He invented a set of simplified 18 strokes in order to facilitate quick learning of Chinese language. In a word, his writing stands out as the most scientific, elementary and erudite among the works of his contemporaries. The ”Rules of the Society on the Generosities” he formulated totaled 70 articles published in the newspaper ”Aware of New Knowledge”. The Society on the Generosities is similar to the association organization in the west as YMCA. Its purpose, organization, member, duty, activity, item, operation, donation, building, plan and arrangement etc., were all stipulated in details. Therefore, this Society founded by Shen may be titled as the first democratic meeting in modern China, similar to that in the West. However, it is a pity that Shen was expelled by Tongjen Hospital, which caused the early and unfortunate death in Shanghai of this pioneer-scholar.