The connection between Confucian culture and mathematics

The connection between Confucian culture and mathematics is introduced as follows:

The formation of the traditional Chinese mathematical system was marked by the emergence of the Nine Chapters of Algorithm in the Han Dynasty. As the most important classic work in the history of ancient Chinese mathematics, the Nine Chapters of Mathematics is actually a compilation of 246 application problems and their solutions. If the practical

feature of the Nine Chapters of the Art of Arithmetic, which had an important influence on the development of ancient Chinese mathematics, was influenced by Confucian culture, then it is self-evident that the development of ancient mathematics as a whole was closely linked to Confucian culture.

The compilers of Nine Chapters on Mathematics seem to think that: all the concrete problems are answered have done their best in 'arithmetic', and it is harmless to not discuss abstract mathematical theories as 'arithmetic'; those who have mastered the knowledge of mathematics should be satisfied with being able to answer the practical questions raised by the practice of life, and the the theory of mathematics is not a matter of practicality. The theory of mathematics is knowable, but it is difficult to figure out all, scholars should have the attitude of stopping.

Under the influence of Confucian values and concepts, the motivation of ancient mathematicians to study mathematics was mainly to meet the needs of the state and people's livelihoods, focusing on the practical utility of mathematics, which determines the practical characteristics of ancient Chinese mathematical research, and is rich in the spirit of pragmatism.

While there have been some mathematicians who have studied the problems of pure mathematics, on the whole, the practicality of ancient mathematics is still the mainstream. As far as practical rational thinking is concerned, it is the rationality of Confucian ethics and morality, which is based on the pillar of rights.

"Pragmatic" is the spirit of utilitarianism, which honors tradition and authority. Pragmatic rationality has the merit of respecting and emphasizing the objective laws and focusing on the practical utility of practice. Pragmatic rationality played an important role in the historical development of ancient China, and it was especially suitable for the needs and development of ancient Chinese society based on agriculture, and had a positive influence on the development of ancient spiritual and material civilization. A number of scientific and technological inventions in ancient China were ahead of other ancient civilizations in the world, which were all closely related to practical reasoning, either directly or indirectly. In ancient China, both thinkers and scientists paid extra attention to practical rationality, i.e. the practical utility of practice. The idea of emphasizing practice and practical utility is reflected in the ancient concept of knowledge and action.

The importance of focusing on practice was a very common view among ancient thinkers. They believed that the source of knowledge and understanding is practice; practice is the purpose of understanding; practice is the criterion for testing whether understanding is correct. Practical reason is characterized by an extreme emphasis on practicality. It does not seek to discuss and argue about abstract theoretical problems that are difficult to solve in theory, and considers it unnecessary to engage in such purely discursive abstraction. The important thing is how to deal with it properly in real life.

This idea of the practical utility of practice is particularly evident in the study and research of mathematics in ancient China. The practical and algorithm-centered character of ancient Chinese mathematics, which is rooted in practical reason, has been discussed in the context of the "art" character of the Nine Chapters of Algorithms. The practicality of Chinese mathematics is actually an extension and expansion of Confucianism.

Because of the need to practice the Confucian way, ancient mathematics emphasized practicality and was more advantageous in application, while relatively weak in theory; at the same time, and because of the need to honor the Confucian way, ancient mathematicians always associated their research with Confucian doctrine and Confucian classics, valued the accumulation of knowledge, and demonstrated obvious inheritance. It can be seen that Confucian culture has an important influence on the formation of traditional Chinese mathematics.

Summary: no matter what, the ancient things will affect the modern, our Chinese culture is in the inheritance to carry forward, in the inheritance of the essence of the dregs, only to make the present literature become mature. When Confucianism was first created, it was just an ordinary thought, and it became the mainstream thought in ancient China because it became mature.