He Zuoxiu
Encyclopedia
He Zuoxiu is a Chinese
physicist
and member of Chinese Academy of Sciences
. He is known as a "crusader" against supernatural and "unscientific thinking
," and became famous in China for his criticism of the spiritual movement Falun Gong
and support for its nationwide ban.
In China, along with Sima Nan
, He is known to be one of the biggest critics of public fraud
and pseudoscience
. He is also a critic of traditional Chinese medicine
.
in 1927. He was admitted to Shanghai Jiao Tong University
in 1945, and transferred to Tsinghua University
and graduated in 1951.
After graduation, He worked in Propaganda Department of the CPC
from 1951 to 1956. Subsequently he worked at the Science Institute of China, in the atomic energy division. He has written various papers on the subjects of quantum theory
, philosophy
and economics
. During that time, he criticized Liang Sicheng
and argued in favor of destroying the Beijing city wall
. He is described by a sympathetic Asia Times article as soft-spoken and well-mannered.
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
physicist
Physicist
A physicist is a scientist who studies or practices physics. Physicists study a wide range of physical phenomena in many branches of physics spanning all length scales: from sub-atomic particles of which all ordinary matter is made to the behavior of the material Universe as a whole...
and member of Chinese Academy of Sciences
Chinese Academy of Sciences
The Chinese Academy of Sciences , formerly known as Academia Sinica, is the national academy for the natural sciences of the People's Republic of China. It is an institution of the State Council of China. It is headquartered in Beijing, with institutes all over the People's Republic of China...
. He is known as a "crusader" against supernatural and "unscientific thinking
Pseudoscience
Pseudoscience is a claim, belief, or practice which is presented as scientific, but which does not adhere to a valid scientific method, lacks supporting evidence or plausibility, cannot be reliably tested, or otherwise lacks scientific status...
," and became famous in China for his criticism of the spiritual movement Falun Gong
Falun Gong
Falun Gong is a spiritual discipline first introduced in China in 1992 by its founder, Li Hongzhi, through public lectures. It combines the practice of meditation and slow-moving qigong exercises with the moral philosophy...
and support for its nationwide ban.
In China, along with Sima Nan
Sima Nan
Sima Nan is a television pundit, social commentator, and journalist from the People's Republic of China. He is well known for his criticism of pseudoscience and supernatural phenomena, especially his opposition to qigong-related fraud. He is also active as a blogger and owns a television...
, He is known to be one of the biggest critics of public fraud
Confidence trick
A confidence trick is an attempt to defraud a person or group by gaining their confidence. A confidence artist is an individual working alone or in concert with others who exploits characteristics of the human psyche such as dishonesty and honesty, vanity, compassion, credulity, irresponsibility,...
and pseudoscience
Pseudoscience
Pseudoscience is a claim, belief, or practice which is presented as scientific, but which does not adhere to a valid scientific method, lacks supporting evidence or plausibility, cannot be reliably tested, or otherwise lacks scientific status...
. He is also a critic of traditional Chinese medicine
Traditional Chinese medicine
Traditional Chinese Medicine refers to a broad range of medicine practices sharing common theoretical concepts which have been developed in China and are based on a tradition of more than 2,000 years, including various forms of herbal medicine, acupuncture, massage , exercise , and dietary therapy...
.
Biography
He Zuoxiu was born in ShanghaiShanghai
Shanghai is the largest city by population in China and the largest city proper in the world. It is one of the four province-level municipalities in the People's Republic of China, with a total population of over 23 million as of 2010...
in 1927. He was admitted to Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Shanghai Jiao Tong University or SJTU), sometimes referred to as Shanghai Jiaotong University , is a top public research university located in Shanghai, China. Shanghai Jiao Tong University is known as one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in China...
in 1945, and transferred to Tsinghua University
Tsinghua University
Tsinghua University , colloquially known in Chinese as Qinghua, is a university in Beijing, China. The school is one of the nine universities of the C9 League. It was established in 1911 under the name "Tsinghua Xuetang" or "Tsinghua College" and was renamed the "Tsinghua School" one year later...
and graduated in 1951.
After graduation, He worked in Propaganda Department of the CPC
Propaganda Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China
The Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China , formerly known in English as the Propaganda Department, is an internal division of the Communist Party of China in charge of ideology-related work, as well as its propaganda system...
from 1951 to 1956. Subsequently he worked at the Science Institute of China, in the atomic energy division. He has written various papers on the subjects of quantum theory
Quantum mechanics
Quantum mechanics, also known as quantum physics or quantum theory, is a branch of physics providing a mathematical description of much of the dual particle-like and wave-like behavior and interactions of energy and matter. It departs from classical mechanics primarily at the atomic and subatomic...
, philosophy
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
and economics
Economics
Economics is the social science that analyzes the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. The term economics comes from the Ancient Greek from + , hence "rules of the house"...
. During that time, he criticized Liang Sicheng
Liang Sicheng
Liang Sicheng was the son of Liang Qichao, a well-known Chinese thinker in the late Qing Dynasty. Liang Sicheng returned to China from the United States after studying at the University of Pennsylvania...
and argued in favor of destroying the Beijing city wall
Beijing city wall
The city wall of Beijing was a fortification built around 1435. It was 23.5 km long. The thickness at ground level was 20m and the top 12m. The wall was 15m high, and it had nine gates. This wall stood for nearly 530 years, but in 1965 it was removed to give way to 2nd Ring Road and the loop...
. He is described by a sympathetic Asia Times article as soft-spoken and well-mannered.
External links
- He Zuoxiu's profile at Tsinghua University
- An interview with He Zuoxiu: How he exposes and fights against Falun Gong, Zhang Pengwen, facts.org.cn, 2008-01-02