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A study in cross-cultural transmission of natural philosophy: the Kenkon Bensetsu
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Orientador(es)
Resumo(s)
This work shows that the transmission of European natural philosophy by Christian
missionaries in Japan during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries was made in a
systematic way, even if at an elementary level. The Kenkon Bensetsu is used as main
evidence of this. This text was introduced into Japan by Antonio Rubino, on the orders
of Inoue Masashige it was translated by Sawano Chuan, at the request of Kainosho
Masanobu it was transliterated by Nishi Kichibei and Mukai Gensho, and this last one
also wrote a commentary on its theories from a neo-Confucian perspective.
The historical setting and the process that led to the production of the Kenkon Bensetsu
are described. From this it is established that the Japanese of all walks of life were
curious about the causes of natural phenomena; that the missionaries had the ability to
provide those explanations, drawing from the pool of theories provided by sixteenth
century Aristotelian natural philosophy, adjusted to the interests and talents of their
audience; and that the Japanese authorities considered that these theories were important
in some way and thus took the necessary steps to ensure that that they would not be
consigned into oblivion as a consequence of their efforts to stamp out Christianity.
The text is integrally translated following explicit criteria, therefore opening the way to
further exploration by many researchers. Some of its most striking characteristics
concerning content and style are analysed.
Descrição
Dissertação apresentada para cumprimento dos requisitos necessários à obtenção do
grau de Doutor em História dos Descobrimentos e da Expansão Portuguesa
Palavras-chave
Natural Philosophy Aristotelianism Neo-Confucianism Christianity in Japan Heavens and Earth Translation Four Elements Astronomy
Contexto Educativo
Citação
Editora
Faculdade de Ciências Sociais e Humanas, Universidade Nova de Lisboa