Science And Technology In Ancient China

The advancement of science and technology in ancient China is strongly related to the society system. One of its significant features is the civil service examination system. The system was designed to look for talented and potential candidates as administrative officials of the government [1]. Only those literary and managerial elite would be able to serve in the bureaucratic imperial state after their success in the examination [2].
Needham regarded the effect of concentrating all power as a driving force to developing science. I agree his assertion to a small extent. Undeniably, knowledge exchange would be facilitated when all experts were gathered in the state as they continuously inspiring each other and leading to the coming up of new
People treated the system as a direct way to success and wealth which brought opportunity to the grassroots to be upgraded with higher social status [3]. Thus, although the examination system encouraged more people studying science, most of the candidates were examination-orientated. Instead of focusing on the nature of science and generic skills, they preferred reciting and memorizing all materials and exam syllabus even though mathematics and astronomy were core component in the official examination [2]. They were lack of creativity and emphasized less on applied and practical field of science. In addition, children from a privileged home would be benefitted from a better private library with more resources [1]. Only candidates with a right government connection and being supported by the current officials would be favoured in this examination due to severe corruption [4]. The unfair system hindered those knowledgeable and well-prepared scholars from winning the competition. Also the quality of the bureaucracy could not be ensured through this examination system and the effect of concentrating thinking power was minimized. As a result, the meaningful system transformed to be a source of social instability and resentment due to its injustice meanwhile serving as a deterrent for the advancement of science
The country was governed by an emperor who had the absolute power to make every decision [2]. Needham agreed that state support would enhance the advancement of science. Although the astronomical instruments and records were closely guarded by official astronomers, it did not hinder the study and observation in astronomy especially in the Sung dynasty, even though they did not have the right to examine past records and references [2]. I also agree with his assertion in a small extent. Despite the reduced opportunity to use the astronomical instruments, the complete ancient records were protected by the government from one dynasty to another. In fact, the chance for losing data was greatly decreased. Furthermore, with the state’s investment, more advanced instruments and experiments could be made and carried, supported with sufficient capital. With more security, scholars’ scientific work in the state could be enhanced. For example, Su Sung, although he came from normal scholarly family, was still able to investigate in astronomical principles and construct an armillary spheres model at home since he was connected to the bureaucracy