Academic Journal of Humanities & Social Sciences, 2025, 8(4); doi: 10.25236/AJHSS.2025.080406.
Liu Jianzhe, Wei Xiaoye
Guo Shoujing Research Center, Xingtai University, Xingtai, China
The groundbreaking scientific practices of Guo Shoujing (1231-1316) in astronomy and hydraulic engineering during the Yuan Dynasty catalyzed a paradigmatic shift in Chinese science from empirical accumulation to theoretical systematization. In astronomy, he spearheaded large-scale observational projects, innovating instruments such as the simplified armillary sphere (Jianyi) and elevated gnomon (Gaobiao), which generated precise empirical data to refine calendrical calculations, establishing an enduring exemplar in Chinese astronomical history. In hydraulic engineering, he conceptualized topographic elevation gradients and designed multi-stage sluice systems for the Tonghui River, synergizing traditional hydrological wisdom with technological iterations to triple water transport efficiency. His methodological framework manifested threefold innovation: enhancing data accuracy through expansive observational networks and precision instrumentation, reconceptualizing the epistemological logic of technological devices (e.g., reconstructing equatorial coordinates in observational tools), and implementing mathematical modeling for systematic engineering planning. Compared with contemporaneous scientific traditions, his achievements demonstrated unparalleled integration of empirical rigor and applied engineering, transcending regionally confined theoretical paradigms through the dialectical synthesis of technical praxis and mathematical deduction. This study argues that Guo's work reconfigured traditional epistemic frameworks via interdisciplinary synthesis and systemic optimization, articulating a distinct non-Western trajectory of premodern scientific transformation. His legacy persists in illuminating contemporary challenges in technological ethics, holistic methodologies, and the cross-disciplinary integration essential for scientific innovation.
Guo Shoujing, Hydraulic engineering innovation, Empirical-mathematical synthesis, Systemic optimization, Cross-disciplinary methodology
Liu Jianzhe, Wei Xiaoye. Epistemic Innovation in Guo Shoujing's Scientific Practice. Academic Journal of Humanities & Social Sciences (2025), Vol. 8, Issue 4: 37-43. https://doi.org/10.25236/AJHSS.2025.080406.
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