This book is a collection of the author’s previous studies on Yan Fu’s works of translation. The book begins with an overview of Yan Fu’s life, then proceeds to examine his translations of scientific cosmology and social evolution, liberalism, and individualistic political theories, his attitude toward the relationship between science, religion, and superstition, and considers his views on metaphysical issues such as the world after death and the existence of the soul. Finally, the author uses the response of contemporary readers to illustrate Yan Fu’s contribution and position in the intellectual change from the late Qing Dynasty to the Republic of China. For the author, the major concern of Yan Fu’s translation was to “open up the wisdom of the people” and to “unite the East and the West.” What Yan proposed, therefore, was a “middle path” of moderate and gradual reform, which was different from both the idea of “Chinese learning as the essence, Western learning as the function” represented by Zhang Zhidong, and “total westernization” advocated by Chen Duxui and Hu Shi. Yan’s proposal for cultural reform still provides valuable insights for today.

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