Fengming Wu

(National Committee for the Examination and Approval of Scientific and Technical Terminology)

Ding Wenjiang is a "multidimensional" scientist with achievements and contributions. He is said to be an outstanding geologist and one of the founders of the geological cause in China, and he has long been known in the academic circles, especially in the geosciences. In the May 4th New Culture Movement, a "multi-dimensional" scientist.

1. A brief introduction to his life

Ding Wenjiang (1887 ~ 1936), a native of Taixing, Jiangsu Province, was known as the modern "Xu Xiake". He entered a private school in 1892 at the age of five, and "read the four histories, Zi Zhi Tong Jian and other ancient books, loved poetry, and received a good traditional education in China since childhood. At the age of 1, he wrote "On the Advantages and Disadvantages of Emperor Gaozu and Ming Taizu", which was deeply appreciated by the teacher. At the age of 15, he took an examination of the scholar. An article "On Emperor Wudi's Understanding Southwest China (Foreign Countries)" won the appreciation of Long Zhang, a magistrate of a county, and was accepted as a disciple.

In p>192, he was persuaded to send him to study in Japan, where he edited Jiangsu magazine to promote the revival of China, advocate innovation, criticize Confucian education and advocate women's liberation;

In p>194, under the persuasion of Wu Zhihui and with the support of Kang Youwei, he left Japan for England and arrived in Edinburgh.

In p>196, he was admitted to Cambridge University at the age of 19.

In p>198, he was admitted to the University of Glasgow to study zoology and geology, and returned to China after receiving a double degree in science in 1911.

In p>1911, he took the last imperial examination in China's history and won the "Gezhike Jinshi".

In p>1912, he taught in Shanghai Nanyang Middle School.

In p>1913, he served as the head of the Geology Department of the Mining Administration Department of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce of Beiyang Government, and concurrently served as the director of the Institute of Geology; It is of far-reaching significance to write the Instructions for Pilot Geological Survey of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce and propose to set up a geological research institute to become the first cradle for training the first generation of geologists in China.

in p>1916, he served as director of geological survey;

In p>1925, he went to Shanghai as the general manager of Songhu, although it was only eight months, which did some damage to the image of his later scientists.

In p>1931, he was hired as a research professor in the Department of Geology of Peking University, teaching "General Theory of Geology".

2. Brilliant achievements

1. Unveiling the prelude of China's geological survey

On the way back from Britain in p>1911, I landed via Haiphong, changed to Yunnan-Vietnam railway train and entered Guizhou via Qianxiang Post Road, and carried out arduous geological survey along the way, which created a precedent for China to carry out geological survey by modern geological methods. During the investigation, I was very touched to see the hardships of the people of Guizhou, and wrote a poem entitled "Guizhou"

In p>1913, Solger and Wang Xibin from Germany went to Taihang Mountain area for geological investigation, and made a systematic investigation on the geology near Zhengtai Railway, and compiled the Report on Investigation of Geology and Mining near Zhengtai Road.

In p>1914, he went to the east and north of Yunnan for another geological investigation, which lasted for more than 2 days. He focused on the investigation of Gejiu tin mine and Dongchuan copper mine, obtained the Geological General Map near Gejiu, and published the Yunnan Dongchuan Copper Mine and the Geological Mineral Report near Gejiu, etc.

In p>1914, a paleontology course was set up for 22 students from the Institute of Geology, and the students were led to go to the vicinity of Xishan Mountain in Beijing, Hebei, Shandong, Shaanxi and other places for geological practice and investigation in batches, which initiated the teaching of paleontology in China.

In p>1915, a geological survey was carried out in Xishan, Beijing and its vicinity, Shanxi, Hebei and other places, focusing on the coalfields in Shanxi and Hebei.

In p>1916, he went to southern Anhui and western Zhejiang for geological investigation.

In p>1917, when I went to Henan, Hunan and Jiangxi, I mainly investigated Pingxiang coal mine and Shangzhuling iron mine (see China Iron Mine Records).

In p>1916, 22 students from the Institute of Geology, with him as its director, graduated, which enriched the China Geological Survey, thus opening the prelude to the geological survey in China.

In p>1917, he went to southern Anhui and western Zhejiang for geological survey.

In p>1918, he visited Europe with Liang Qichao, attended the Paris Peace Conference, and also visited the geological facilities in some countries.

In p>1918, he went to Datong, Shanxi Province to investigate geology and mineral resources.

In p>1919, the articles "Minerals in China" and "Geology in the Lower Yangtze River" were published, in which the strata in the lower Yangtze River were divided, and the relationship between the geological structure of the mountains in the south of the Yangtze River and the Qinling and Nanling structures was discussed. At the same time, their special structures and the age of crustal movement were also discussed.

in p>1928, entrusted by the Ministry of Railways, he went to Guangxi for the route reconnaissance of Sichuan-Guangzhou Railway and the geological and mineral investigation along the line.

In the spring of p>1929, an investigation team was set up with him as the general commander, and went to the southwest border area again to make a geological investigation, which included five disciplines, such as geology, geography, minerals and ethnology. The investigation route and environment were very difficult, basically high mountains and virgin forests. During the investigation, his favorite pupil Zhao Yaceng was killed in the line of duty and was deeply saddened. He wrote "Wan Zhao Yuren"

in December p>1935, he carried out an emergency mineral exploration plan for the government, especially investigating coal mines along the Guangdong-Han railway, and arrived in Hunan for geological investigation. He was tired from continuous field work and died in Hengyang at the age of 49.

2. Create or participate in the creation of the cradle for the development of China's geological undertakings

In p>1913, he became the chief of the Geological Section of the Mining Administration Department of Beiyang Government (the first geological administrative institution in China); At the same time, he served as the director of the Geological Survey Institute, and wrote the Instructions for Pilot Geological Survey of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce. In the same year, he co-founded the Geological Research Institute, an institution that trained the first batch of China geologists, with Zhang Hongzhao and others, and served as the director;

In p>1913, he was hired as a member of the China Geological Society and gave an academic report on Geology of Yunnan and Guizhou. In 1923, he served as the president of the association;

At the beginning of p>1918, he met Li Siguang in Europe and hoped to return to China. Soon after, Mr. Li received a letter of appointment from Cai Yuanpei, president of Peking University, and rebuilt the Department of Geology of Peking University after returning to China.

During his visit to the United States in p>192, entrusted by Cai Yuanpei, president of Peking University, he hired Professor Glip, a famous geologist and paleontologist from Columbia University, to lead the teaching and research of paleontology in Peking University. It was precisely because of Ge's visit to China that a number of famous paleontologists from China, such as Yuntao Sun and Yin Zanxun, were trained.

In p>1922, he participated in the preparation and establishment of the geological society of china, wrote a publication entitled "Organization History of geological society of china" for the Journal of geological society of china, and published an article entitled "Purpose of geological society of china", and was elected as the director twice;

In p>1923, China Paleontology Research Society was initiated and established, including Zhang Yuanji, Luo Zhenyu, Zhang Xueliang, Zhang Hongzhao, Liang Qichao and Weng Wenhao.

In August p>1929, he participated in the founding meeting of the Chinese Paleontological Society, and Yuntao Sun and Yu Jianzhang also attended the meeting.

In p>1929, he served as honorary director of Cenozoic research office of Geological Survey;

In March p>1934, he participated in the establishment of the Geographical Society of China, and gathered academic celebrities, including Weng Wenhao, Li Siguang, Zhu Kezhen, Xie Jiarong, Ye Liangfu, Zhang Qiyun, Gu Jiegang and Tan Qixiang.

successively established geological exhibition halls (museums) and geological libraries.

3. Main works (only related to geology)

In p>1914, the Report on Investigation of Geology and Mining near Zhengtai Railway was published, co-authored with Solger and Wang Xibin;

Dongchuan Copper Mine in Yunnan was published in p>1915 (English) and Far East Times;

In p>1916, Coal Mines in China was published (in English) and Far East Times;

In p>1919, he published Geology of the Lower Yangtze River (English) and Water Conservancy Quarterly of Taihu Basin;

Minerals of China (in English), Far East Times;

In p>1921, he published the First China Mining Summary, co-authored with Weng Wenhao;

At the 13th International Geological Congress held in Belgium in p>1922, a paper entitled "Geological Structure in East Yunnan" was presented, in which the eastern Yunnan was divided into 9 structural units and their respective structural characteristics were discussed.

In p>1922, the History of geological society of china Organization was published, and the Journal of geological society of china Society was published.

Manganese Mine in Xihu Village, Changping County, Jingzhao, Geological Report No.4;

In p>1923, he published "The Story of Replay Printing" and "Efforts Weekly";

In p>1923, Mining Industry in China in the Past 5 Years and Recent 5 Years were published;

In p>1923, he participated in the debate on "Metaphysics and Science", defeated the Metaphysics School with four macro-treatises on "Science and Outlook on Life", publicized and defended the scientific thought and spirit, advocated the scientific method, and became the main leader of the Science School; In the same year, published "Mining in China in Fifty Years";

In p>1924, he published "The Cultivation of Geologists in China", a report at the second annual meeting in geological society of china;

In p>1926, the book Xu Xiake's Travels was introduced in Fiction Monthly. The main contents were: the purpose, route, discovery and its literary and scientific value;

In p>1927, he edited Xu Xiake's Travels, and compiled a new atlas, so as to certify according to the map. Xu Xiake's Chronicle attached to it is of great help, and has been helped by Hu Shi and Liang Rengong.

In p>1928, Historical Materials of China Government-run Mining Industry was published by Geological Survey;

In p>1929, he published the paper "China Orogenic Movement", in which he expounded his views on China Orogenic Movement by stages, namely, Guangxi Movement, Hercynian Movement and Yanshan Movement. Journal of Geological Society of China, Volume 8;

In p>1931, he published The Stratification of Fengningji, the tenth volume of geological society of china Huizhi;

In p>1931, he published The Responsibility of Geologists in China and Journal of Geological Research Society of Peking University.

In p>1931, the Report of Preliminary Survey of Sichuan-Guangzhou Railway Route was published, co-authored with Ceng Shiying, and Geological Special Report;

In p>1932, the Statistical Study on the Difference of Width-Height Ratio between Ding Shi and Xie's Shiyan was published, Volume 11 of geological society of china Huizhi;

In p>1932, he published Wandering Notes, which was serialized in Independent Review, and described his geological and geographical investigations in 22 provinces (regions) during 2 years, including Yunnan, Guizhou, Sichuan, Guangxi, Taihang Mountain and Yanshan Mountain.

In June, 1933, he went to the United States to represent the government and geological society of china at the 16th International Geological Congress held in Washington, D.C., where he presented papers and reports on Permian in China and its significance in Permian stratigraphic classification and Carboniferous in China and its significance in Mississippi and Bencheveni stratigraphic classification. During the meeting, he also attended the preparatory meeting of the International Paleontological Union on behalf of China and was elected as the preparatory committee member. After the meeting, he visited Britain, Sweden and Switzerland. At the end of August, he arrived in Moscow, the Soviet Union, and was received by the Soviet Academy of Sciences and the Institute of Geology and Mineral Exploration. He visited Baku Oilfield and other places, leaving a deep impression and praise, which had a great influence on his political thought.

In p>1934, Travel to Russia and Oilfield Geology in the South of the Soviet Union were published, and more than ten articles were published in Independent Review. The achievements of Soviet geological science had far-reaching influence.

In p>1933, Ding Wenjiang, Weng Wenhao and Ceng Shiying co-edited The New Map of the Republic of China and The New Map of China Provinces, which were published by Shenbao Museum, were highly praised and called "the first sound of map innovation in China".

4. Contribution to Academia Sinica

In p>1934, he accepted the invitation of Cai Yuanpei and became the director-general of Academia Sinica. He was a practical executive head, especially influenced by the scientific achievements of the Soviet Union. He entered the Academia Sinica as an ambitious reformer, and first set up a Council and a fund custodian committee, and tried to concentrate the national scientific research power on the Academia Sinica, thus causing a storm in the scientific community. There will be a special article on Ding Wenjiang's achievements in Academia Sinica. Here are the following documents for reference:

( 1) Cai Yuanpei's Contribution of Mr. Ding Zaijun to Academia Sinica, Independent Review, No.188

( 2) Zhu Jiahua's Ding Wenjiang and Academia Sinica, Journal of Academia Sinica, Episode 3

( 3) Li Ji's Memories of Scientific Research Advocated by Ding Wenjiang, Journal of Academia Sinica

( 4) Glip's Mr. Ding Wenjiang and the Development of Science in China

( 5) The Mission of Academia Sinica in Ding Wenjiang, Oriental Magazine, Volume 32, Volume 2

( 6) Ding Wenjiang. No.151

( 7) Ding Wenjiang's Scientific Work of Academia Sinica in China, the British magazine Nature

( 8) Ding Wenjiang's Modern Science in China, p. 133

( 9) Ding Wenjiang's Scientific Research in China

From the literature, we can understand his scientific outlook and

Third, the beginning and end of the debate between science and metaphysics

At the time of the May 4th New Culture Movement, a debate on "metaphysics and science" which preached scientific ideas and scientific spirit reached a climax: the theme of the debate was the relationship between science and outlook on life.

On February 14th, 1923, Professor Zhang Junmai of Tsinghua University (1887 ~ 1969) gave an academic report for overseas students, and then published the article "Science and Outlook on Life" publicly. His basic viewpoints are:

( 1) Science is objective, while outlook on life is subjective;

( 2) Science can start with analytical methods, while the outlook on life is comprehensive;

( 3) Science is dominated by theoretical (logical) methods, while the outlook on life starts from consciousness;

( 4) Science is dominated by the law of cause and effect, while the outlook on life is free will;

( 5) Science starts from the same object, while outlook on life starts from the oneness of personality.

In short, it is emphasized that the center of outlook on life is self, and the opposite is "non-ego". Science has a set of reasoning methods. Outlook on life starts from intuition, science is dominated by the law of causality, and people have free will, oneness and automatic conscience. The conclusion is that science is meaningless to outlook on life and cannot solve the problem of outlook on life.

After Zhang Junmai's article was published, on April 12th, his close friend Ding Wenjiang was published in Effort Weekly.