A Comparative Study of Medical Practices in Ancient China and Greece: Techniques, Ethics, and Influence

Li  Li; Syed Tahir  Abbas; Guo Hui-yun

doi:10.55927/nurture.v3i3.10805

Authors

Li Li College of International Studies, Southwest University, Chongqing
Syed Tahir Abbas College of History, Culture and Nationalities, Southwest University Chongqing
Guo Hui-yun Philosophy of Science and Technology, School of National Governance Southwest University, Chongqing

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55927/nurture.v3i3.10805

Keywords:

Innovations, Comparative Analysis , Legacy , Societal Impact , Scientific Inquiry

Abstract

This paper explores the scientific and technological contributions of ancient China and ancient Greece, highlighting key innovations and their lasting impacts. Ancient China was characterized by a practical and empirical approach to scientific inquiry, resulting in significant advancements in agriculture, astronomy, medicine, engineering, and information dissemination. Greek contributions to medicine, guided by the Hippocratic Oath, laid the groundwork for ethical medical practice. Greek engineering and architectural innovations, exemplified by structures like the Parthenon, demonstrated their mastery of design and aesthetics. Greek advancements in astronomy and the philosophical ideas of Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle profoundly shaped Western scientific methodology and intellectual traditions. By comparing these two civilizations, the paper underscores the importance of both practical application and theoretical inquiry in the development of science and technology. The influence of cultural and philosophical contexts on scientific inquiry is also examined, highlighting the interplay between science, technology, and society. The legacies of ancient China and ancient Greece have profound implications for our understanding of the development of science and technology, emphasizing the cumulative nature of scientific progress and the enduring value of ancient knowledge. This study provides valuable insights into the rich heritage of these two great civilizations, offering inspiration for future advancements and the continued integration of ancient wisdom into contemporary practices.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Bowler, P. J., & Morus, I. R. (2005). Making Modern Science: A Historical Survey. University of Chicago Press.

Bray, F. (1984). Science and Civilisation in China: Volume 6, Biology and Biological Technology, Part 2: Agriculture. Cambridge University Press.

Carter, T. F. (1955). The Invention of Printing in China and Its Spread Westward. Ronald Press Company.

Chen, J. (1996). The Way of the Chinese Compass. Tuttle Publishing.

Graham, A. C. (1989). Disputers of the Tao: Philosophical Argument in Ancient China. Open Court Publishing.

Heath, T. L. (1921). A History of Greek Mathematics. Oxford University Press.

Ho, P. T. (1956). The Ladder of Success in Imperial China: Aspects of Social Mobility, 1368–1911. Columbia University Press.

Lloyd, G. E. R. (1973). Greek Science After Aristotle. New York: Norton.

Lu, G. D., & Needham, J. (1980). Celestial Lancets: A History and Rationale of Acupuncture and Moxa. Cambridge University Press.

Martzloff, J. C. (1997). A History of Chinese Mathematics. Springer.

Needham, J. (1954). Science and Civilization in China. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Needham, J. (1959). Science and Civilization in China: Volume 3, Mathematics and the Sciences of the Heavens and the Earth. Cambridge University Press.

Needham, J. (1971). Science and Civilization in China: Volume 4, Physics and Physical Technology, Part 3: Civil Engineering and Nautics. Cambridge University Press.

Porter, R. (1997). The Greatest Benefit to Mankind: A Medical History of Humanity. W.W. Norton & Company.

Tsien, T. H. (1985). Paper and Printing. Cambridge University Press.

Unschuld, P. U. (1986). Medicine in China: A History of Pharmaceutics. University of California Press.

Waldron, A. (1990). The Great Wall of China: From History to Myth. Cambridge University Press.

Yates, R. D. S. (2012). The Art of War in Ancient China: Voices from the Past. University of California Press.