The origin and evolution of the concept of mixin (superstition): A review of May Fourth scientific views.

This article explores the evolving connotations of the concept of “superstition” up to the establishment of “superstition studies,” in an examination of the process of secularization experienced by early modern Chinese thought under the impact of Western science. In traditional texts, the Chinese te...

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Publicado en:Chinese Studies in History Vol. 49; no. 2; pp. 54 - 80
Autor principal: Ko-wu, Huang
Formato: Artículo
Publicado: Taylor & Francis Ltd Winter2015
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Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
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        10.1080/00094633.2015.1132922
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        atl: The origin and evolution of the concept of mixin (superstition): A review of May Fourth scientific views.
      aug:
        au: Ko-wu, Huang
      su:
        Evolutionary theories
        Superstition
        May Fourth movement, China, 1919
        Scientism
        Liang, Qichao, 1873-1929
        Yan, Fu, 1854-1921
      sug:
        subj:
          Evolutionary theories
          Superstition
          May Fourth movement, China, 1919
          Scientism
          Liang, Qichao, 1873-1929
          Yan, Fu, 1854-1921
      keyword:
        Jiang Shaoyuan
        Liang Qichao
        May Fourth Movement
        Mixin (superstition)
        scientism
        Yan Fu
      ab: This article explores the evolving connotations of the concept of “superstition” up to the establishment of “superstition studies,” in an examination of the process of secularization experienced by early modern Chinese thought under the impact of Western science. In traditional texts, the Chinese termmixin(迷信, literally “delusional beliefs”), modernly translated as“superstition,” carries diverse and variable meanings: aside from referring to the proper or improper content of ideas and beliefs,mixinalso has political connotations, broadly referring to beliefs or behaviors differing from the official rituals. On an ideological level, the traditional concept ofmixinrefers to a category of thought opposed to Confucian concepts such as the cosmology of Heaven, Earth, and Man, or the idea that “for a man to sacrifice to a spirit which does not belong to him is flattery.” In the late Qing Dynasty, as the idea of “superstition” as opposed to “science” was introduced via Japan, the traditional connotations ofmixinevaporated, and it merged with other neologisms. From the late Qing to the early Republic, the parameters of “superstition” were expanded to encompass anything at odds with “reason.” This was also a reflection of China’s shift from the “Classical Age” to the “Age of Science,” as Confucian concepts and scientific ideas successively served as the criteria for judging “superstition.” As of the present, a consensus has yet to be reached on how to distinguish between “religion” and “superstition.” This paper shall seek to clarify the connotations ofmixinor “superstition” in different contexts and their connection to the changing times, which may aid in understanding the complex facets of this issue.
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    language: English
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