A Japanese Christian physicist defends evolution: Kimura Shunkichi's appropriation of British discourses in his philosophical scrutiny of science

Abstract

Between 1889 and 1891, the Christian physicist Kimura Shunkichi strove to persuade his non-religious pupils at the First Higher Middle School that nature was harmonious, while encouraging his fellow Christians to enhance their belief by assimilating the accomplishments of contemporary science, especially the theory of evolution. The arguments of British scientists regarding the relationship between science and religion, particularly those after 1859, emerged as a substantial resource for Kimura's endeavour to convince his distinct audiences. Kimura astutely appropriated the discourses of various British scientists—ranging from the eighth Duke of Argyll to John Tyndall—in his physics course for humanities pupils and his lecture on evolution at a church in Yokohama, to effectively address the sensitivities of each group. Consequently, Kimura's lectures and publications during this period reveal a previously unknown connection between the acceptance of evolutionism in Japan and the contemporary British debates, underscoring the meticulous approach he adopted in employing these resources both in a national educational institution and within the church.