Chinese Technology
A few assignments ago… we found that many of the technologies which really led to the progression of mankind (paper, printing press, compass, gunpowder, etc.) were created in Asia.
This lesson’s learning objective - understand more about Asian Technology… and then discuss what happened to their great empire.
This lesson’s learning objective - understand more about Asian Technology… and then discuss what happened to their great empire.
Zheng He’s Ship versus Christopher Columbus’ Ship
models of both ships made to scale
You are smart-
which ship is bigger?
Which one do you think...
could carry more?
Which one could go further?
Which one would you consider better?
which ship is bigger?
Which one do you think...
could carry more?
Which one could go further?
Which one would you consider better?
The Activity
In ancient China there was no such legal idea as intellectual property. Knowledge was free, not something which a person could buy or sell. According to the Chinese, everyone was entitled to knowledge. In fact there was not a Chinese word for copyright until the 20th Century.
“How can you a put a price on Thoughts & Ideas?”
People in the Orient believed that writing down the teaching of scholars was a high calling. Similar situations existed in ancient Greece where Plato, for example, recorded the oral wisdom of Socrates. Also, four followers of Jesus Christ wrote up his teachings as what today are known as the Gospels of the New Testament. “So copying peoples’ work is an important job.”
“How can you a put a price on Thoughts & Ideas?”
People in the Orient believed that writing down the teaching of scholars was a high calling. Similar situations existed in ancient Greece where Plato, for example, recorded the oral wisdom of Socrates. Also, four followers of Jesus Christ wrote up his teachings as what today are known as the Gospels of the New Testament. “So copying peoples’ work is an important job.”
The Instructions
With the invention of block printing and movable type in China, four hundred years before Gutenberg (in Germany), the large scale copying of books became possible. Since the copying of works on a press was seen more as a way to promote learning than to make money, only the wealthy were able to afford to publish books.
Since authors were motivated more by a desire to advance the learning of their people than by an opportunity to make money, there was little need for copyrights. “Printing books and giving them away so people can learn is more important than making money.”
Several traders from the West recently have arrived at the Emperor’s Court seeking to sell books among other things. While the Court has tolerated Western traders in the past, never has the Court been asked to permit the sale of books! Several people have stepped forward to present their views.
Since authors were motivated more by a desire to advance the learning of their people than by an opportunity to make money, there was little need for copyrights. “Printing books and giving them away so people can learn is more important than making money.”
Several traders from the West recently have arrived at the Emperor’s Court seeking to sell books among other things. While the Court has tolerated Western traders in the past, never has the Court been asked to permit the sale of books! Several people have stepped forward to present their views.
It’s your call…
On this ning discussion board you are taking the place of the Emperor.
You need to read each of the presenter’s arguments and reply to each. Don’t forget to make a final decision. Answer the questions in order. http://emperorsdecision.grouply.com/
The Presenters before the Chinese Emperor
Scholar- He believes that knowledge is for everyone. His life is devoted to collecting and writing the works of Confucius. The wisdom of such a man should not be limited to those able to pay money. The sale of books is not part of Chinese tradition. “I am here to teach-not to make money.”
Buddhist Monk: many books brought by the traders contain Christian teachings. Christianity is not welcome in China. Whether to sell the books is not the question. The question is whether to allow books with Christian teachings, or even any books from the West, into China. “These westerners and their religions will ruin our Chinese way of life.”
Western Trader: A company in my country owns the right to copy these books. I was required to buy the books. By following your country’s tradition of giving books to people for free, I would loose money. Faced with this situation, I could not afford to bring books in the future. This would deny your country access to the knowledge in these books. “I think your traditions are noble, but if you want to continue getting our books, you will have to accept this change, selling books is not all bad.”
Chinese Printer: One responsibility of a person in my wealthy position is to further the culture of our people. Setting the precedent of selling books, while profiting me, will discourage people like me to put much cultural value in printing books. I would be forced to view printing as a business. “What will happen to us if we print for money… won’t we become greedy?”
Chinese Businessperson: The tradition of publishing books for free is an honorable one. Yet why should printing only be the reserve of the wealthy. Emperor you might further our culture by permitting printers to own and sell copies of books. This would encourage more people to print books. With more printers you are likely to get more books and therefore more knowledge out to the people. “Money will motivate people to make more books, which should help everyone.”
Chinese Author: Emperor, you need to recognize that there are several issues before you. First and foremost is whether to allow the sale of the Western books at all and ultimately Chinese ones as well. Second, if you decide to permit the sale of the books, who then owns the writings and the printed copies of the writings? If you decide not to sell the books, how are we as a Chinese people supposed to respond to Western requests for books? Should we really just be giving them away? “Even though we would not be buying their books, should we just be giving them ours?”
Chinese Emperor: You grew up hearing about the voyages west which your grandfather paid for. You know that the money for these voyages is now used to strengthen the Great Wall to protect the north from the Mongols. Also, as a follower of the teachings of Kongzi, or Confucius, you know that merchants are at the bottom of the social order, and that trade is a necessary evil. Yet you wonder whether these traders from the west are here to stay. How could any of these books from the West through contribute to Chinese culture? “You liked what those voyages brought back, but now that they are too expensive don’t you need the Westerners to bring the goods to you? Is doing so good or bad for your people?”
Advisor (Scholar-official): your job is to help the Emperor make decisions which are in the best interests of the empire. Of course, you know you need to give advice which both increases the Emperor’s power and enables you to remain at the Court. The Emperor is fascinated with large sailing expeditions, yet the Court can not pay both for ships and for needed repairs on the Great Wall. The Mongols though have been quiet for several years. “You want to help the Emperor get what he wants, give him advice which helps your country- AND not get fired.”
Buddhist Monk: many books brought by the traders contain Christian teachings. Christianity is not welcome in China. Whether to sell the books is not the question. The question is whether to allow books with Christian teachings, or even any books from the West, into China. “These westerners and their religions will ruin our Chinese way of life.”
Western Trader: A company in my country owns the right to copy these books. I was required to buy the books. By following your country’s tradition of giving books to people for free, I would loose money. Faced with this situation, I could not afford to bring books in the future. This would deny your country access to the knowledge in these books. “I think your traditions are noble, but if you want to continue getting our books, you will have to accept this change, selling books is not all bad.”
Chinese Printer: One responsibility of a person in my wealthy position is to further the culture of our people. Setting the precedent of selling books, while profiting me, will discourage people like me to put much cultural value in printing books. I would be forced to view printing as a business. “What will happen to us if we print for money… won’t we become greedy?”
Chinese Businessperson: The tradition of publishing books for free is an honorable one. Yet why should printing only be the reserve of the wealthy. Emperor you might further our culture by permitting printers to own and sell copies of books. This would encourage more people to print books. With more printers you are likely to get more books and therefore more knowledge out to the people. “Money will motivate people to make more books, which should help everyone.”
Chinese Author: Emperor, you need to recognize that there are several issues before you. First and foremost is whether to allow the sale of the Western books at all and ultimately Chinese ones as well. Second, if you decide to permit the sale of the books, who then owns the writings and the printed copies of the writings? If you decide not to sell the books, how are we as a Chinese people supposed to respond to Western requests for books? Should we really just be giving them away? “Even though we would not be buying their books, should we just be giving them ours?”
Chinese Emperor: You grew up hearing about the voyages west which your grandfather paid for. You know that the money for these voyages is now used to strengthen the Great Wall to protect the north from the Mongols. Also, as a follower of the teachings of Kongzi, or Confucius, you know that merchants are at the bottom of the social order, and that trade is a necessary evil. Yet you wonder whether these traders from the west are here to stay. How could any of these books from the West through contribute to Chinese culture? “You liked what those voyages brought back, but now that they are too expensive don’t you need the Westerners to bring the goods to you? Is doing so good or bad for your people?”
Advisor (Scholar-official): your job is to help the Emperor make decisions which are in the best interests of the empire. Of course, you know you need to give advice which both increases the Emperor’s power and enables you to remain at the Court. The Emperor is fascinated with large sailing expeditions, yet the Court can not pay both for ships and for needed repairs on the Great Wall. The Mongols though have been quiet for several years. “You want to help the Emperor get what he wants, give him advice which helps your country- AND not get fired.”
...speaking of Copyright... thanks to Dr. O'Brien for letting me use this lesson in my classroom.