Analyzing the Patriotism of Translators based on the Theory of Natural Selection of Yanfu

Abstract

At the end of the Qing Dynasty, the national crisis was unprecedentedly serious, and people of insight began to explore ways to save and survive. During this period, Yen Fu's translation of English biologist Huxley's Evolution and Ethics, published in 1897, had a great impact on the Chinese society in the late Qing Dynasty. This paper aimes to study the translation means and philosophy of Yen Fu's version of Evolution and Ethics in the context of the late Qing Dynasty and the contemporary social background, to explore the country sentiments and the characteristics of Yen Fu’s country sentiments and the reasons for its formation, and further point out its contemporary value.