Kang Youwei's Comparison of Confucian Thought and Western Science

In identifying the relationship between Confucian Thought and Western Science,Kang Youwei attached much importance to their communication and combination.Firstly,he disseminated Western Science and compared it to Confucian Thought.Secondly,in expounding on their combination,he referred to some representative figures such as Yan Hui,Zisi,Xunzi and Dong Zhongshu,especially Mencius.Thirdly,he argued that freedom,equality and democracy were not something exotic introduced from the West but something embodied in Confucian Thought.Fourthly,Confucian Thought found broad application in the West and influenced a wide range of areas.In short,Kang Youwei pushed forward the reform movement by authority of Confucius,making Confucius the originator of the movement.