THE ENCOUNTER AND INTERACTION OF THE GRECO-ROMAN THOUGHT AND THE CONFUCIAN DOCTRINES IN MATTEO RICCI'S ETHICAL WORKS

Matteo Ricci, as the pioneer and mediator of Sino-Western cultural exchanges, introduces the western science and humanities in China and translates the Confucian classics into Latin. Through Matteo Ricci substantial communication between the Chinese and the Western world starts. Due to his scientific knowledge and cultural attainment, Matteo Ricci gains an excellent reputation in China. The Confucian literati credit him as a well-educated scholar rather than a missionary. After thirteen years he first enters China, through ethical writings, Matteo Ricci is able to integrate into the spiritual world of the Chinese literati. The similarities and affinities of these two thoughts render the intercultural communication feasible in the ethical domain. This dissertation will focus on the encounter and interaction between the ancient GrecoRoman thought and the Confucian doctrines by analyzing Matteo Ricci’s ethical treatises.