| Abstract |
This paper explores Yan Fu’s translations in Juren rilan (Daily Reading for Abiding in Benevolence), traces their textual origins, and discusses the influence they might have exerted on Yan’s thought by using textual and digitized sources. The author points out that Yan carried out these translations in April to June of 1915, mainly based on articles in The Times and The Daily Chronicle of London. This job increased Yan’s understanding of current affairs in the world and especially of World War One in Europe. In 1916-1917, based on his knowledge of the war, Yan criticized views favoring neutrality or opposing China’s participation in the war, and suggested, in a practical and rational way, that China should participate. At the same time, due to his deep investigation of the European war and especially the atrocities committed by the German Army, he criticized the deformed development of Western science and the brutal war originating from patriotism and racial competition; therefore, he suggested embracing Chinese tradition to cure these diseases, a stance which was very similar to the views of Liang Qichao and Liang Shuming in the 1920s. |
