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C. W. Mateer and the spread of psychology in the late Qing dynasty: From the school where a mental philosophy course was first offered
YAN Shu-Chang
2024, 56 (11):
1651-1660.
doi: 10.3724/SP.J.1041.2024.01651
In the English literature of the 1840s-1860s, “mental philosophy” and “psychology” were used interchangeably, gradually transitioning to the term “psychology” after 1860. In Chinese, “mental philosophy” is generally translated as Xin Ling Xue心灵学, which later came to be considered psychology. In the process of examining the proposition that the first mental philosophy course in the history of Chinese psychology, analysis of Dengchow College diplomas from 1885 and 1889, the 1891 diploma style, and other historical data, supplemented by biographical information on C. W. Mateer about the early courses offered at the Dengchow College, revealed no evidence of a psychology program at Dengchow College in 1877. A curriculum from 1891 showing a course in Xin Ling Xue心灵学 in the sixth year suggests that Dengchow College may have offered psychology classes in 1896 or after 1897. The curriculum noted that “Several desirable branches, e.g., Mental Science and Physical Geography have been omitted for want of suitable textbooks.” There remains a lack of information about who taught these courses and what materials were used. Dengchow College offered psychology courses significantly later than Y. K. Yen at St. John’s College in 1880 and D. Z. Sheffield at Luhe Academy in Tungchow around 1892. Relevant information supports the teachers and teaching materials in these two schools.
Mateer’s contribution to the spread of Western psychology during the late Qing dynasty is notable for his efforts in unifying psychological terminology and his attention to W. A. P. Martin's plan to write a textbook on Mental Philosophy, and his monograph, Xing Xue Ju Yu性学举隅. Among these efforts, his recognition of the term Xing Xue性学 as a translation for psychology were particularly significant. Mateer began his term on the School and Textbook Series Committee in May 1877, during which the Committee planned to develop a Chinese textbook on Mental Philosophy, with Martin taking responsibility. Both Mateer and Martin were members of the commission and maintained a close association. In October 1877, Mateer used the term “psychology” in an English article, providing commentary on its Chinese translation. Mateer’s interest in psychology was evident in his role as chair of the Publication Committee, established in 1890 to organize terminology. The responsibility for mental science terminology fell to Sheffield. Progress in the harmonization of terminology was slow until the establishment of the Scientific Terminology Committee in 1896, which significantly advanced this work. In his 1896 diary, Mateer noted that he had collected terminological work in fifteen disciplines, including psychology. In 1898, Martin published his monograph, Xing Xue Ju Yu性学举隅, which was followed by a critical essay from Mateer. Mateer highly praised the monograph, particularly its use of the term Xing Xue性学. Mateer’s involvement in the publication of Technical Terms, English and Chinese in 1904, where he served as editor, further highlights his contribution to the development of psychological terminology in China. Many of the psychological terms included in the book were derived from Sheffield’s unpublished teaching material on mental philosophy (around 1892), Yen’s book Xin Ling Xue (1889), and Martin’s monograph Xing Xue Ju Yu (1898).
Mateer’s transition from opposing the original meaning of psychology in Chinese translation to adopting the term Xing Xue性学 illustrates his recognition of the contributions of traditional Chinese culture in creating Chinese terminology for psychology. This shift underscores his effort to draw nourishment from Chinese culture to facilitate the translation of Western studies.
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