The European Discovery of Confucius: the Interpretation of Classic Confucianism by the Jesuits of the China Mission (17 th century)
Jesuits, Confucianism, Ming Dinasty, Modern History, Cultural History.
This dissertation seeks to analyze the Jesuit interpretation of Confucius and his philosophy as a complement to Christianity during the establishment and formation period of the China mission, between 1595 and 1645. Through the analysis of letters and works written by these Jesuits, we intend to determine the basis of this interpretation, seeking to understand the reasons that guided the Jesuits alliance with Confucianism, the antagonism towards Buddhism, and how the Jesuits believed to be able to convince the Chinese that Christianity was the only religion fully compatible with Confucius teaching.