Darwin theory about Japan and China

Darwin’s Theory: How Japan and China Put Their Own Spin On It

Darwin’s On the Origin of Species – a book that shook the world! When it landed in Japan and China, it wasn’t just accepted as is. Instead, these two nations, each grappling with its own unique challenges, took Darwin’s ideas and ran with them, twisting and shaping them to fit their own needs. It’s a fascinating story of how a scientific theory can be transformed when it meets different cultures.

So, how did Darwinism actually make its way to the East? Well, in Japan, it was the 1870s, a time of breakneck change. The Meiji Restoration was in full swing, and the country was basically sprinting towards modernization, Western style. Enter Edward Sylvester Morse, an American zoologist. He started giving lectures at Tokyo University in 1877, laying out Darwin’s theory for anyone who would listen. And listen they did! His lectures were translated and published, making Darwinism the “it” thing among the public. The funny thing is, not everyone really understood the nitty-gritty science behind it all.

China’s introduction to Darwin came a bit later, and with a different flavor. The late Qing Dynasty was in deep trouble, having suffered a series of defeats. They were desperate for answers, for some way to understand why they were so weak. That’s where Yan Fu comes in. He translated Thomas Huxley’s Evolution and Ethics in 1898, calling it Tianyan Lun. Boom! It became a massive hit. Suddenly, everyone was talking about Darwin and evolution.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Darwin’s actual theory is about biology, right? But it quickly got mixed up with something called Social Darwinism. Think “survival of the fittest,” but applied to societies and nations. Darwin himself wasn’t really on board with this, but his ideas were often used to justify some pretty nasty stuff, like imperialism and cutthroat competition.

Japan, caught up in its nationalistic fervor, totally ate this up. Some thinkers, like Katō Hiroyuki, initially believed in natural rights. But then, they switched gears, using Social Darwinism to argue that rights were earned through evolution. Herbert Spencer’s idea that societies evolve from “militant” to “industrial”? Japanese liberals loved it, seeing it as a scientific roadmap for progress.

But China’s experience with Social Darwinism was even more intense. Yan Fu’s translation emphasized the struggle for survival, which resonated deeply with Chinese intellectuals who wanted to make their nation strong again. Social Darwinism seemed to explain why China was weak and the West was strong. It was a wake-up call, urging the Chinese to adapt, compete, and reform – or else! This sense of urgency helped fuel the revolution that eventually overthrew the Qing Dynasty.

Speaking of Herbert Spencer, he was a major player in all of this. While Darwin gets the credit, Spencer’s interpretations of evolution were hugely influential in both Japan and China. He basically took Darwin’s ideas and ran wild with them, applying them to everything from sociology to ethics.

In Japan, Spencer’s books were everywhere. His ideas about societies evolving were a perfect fit for Japanese reformers trying to modernize the country. And in China? His emphasis on competition convinced many that embracing a “survival of the fittest” mentality was the only way for the nation to survive.

Of course, not everyone was thrilled with Darwinism and Social Darwinism. Criticisms started popping up in both countries. In Japan, some intellectuals tried to blend Western ideas with traditional Japanese thought, creating their own unique version of Social Darwinism. And after World War I, Social Darwinism started to lose its appeal in academic circles.

In China, the May Fourth Movement in the 1910s and 20s led to a lot of soul-searching. Intellectuals started questioning the whole idea of Social Darwinism, suggesting that maybe cooperation and helping each other out were better ways to move forward. Some even started looking at thinkers outside the usual Anglo-American bubble.

So, what’s the takeaway from all this? The story of Darwinism in Japan and China is complicated. It’s a story of how a scientific theory can be twisted and used to justify different agendas. Social Darwinism, heavily influenced by Herbert Spencer, had a huge impact on both countries, shaping their nationalistic ambitions and modernization efforts. But it’s also a story of how people eventually started to question these ideas, paving the way for new ways of thinking about progress and society. Darwin’s legacy in Japan and China is still being debated today, and it’s a reminder that ideas never exist in a vacuum. They’re always shaped by the people and cultures that embrace them.