China's Transition to ModernityThe figure of Dai Zhen (17241777) looms large in modern Chinese intellectual history. Dai was a mathematical astronomer and influential polymath who, along with like minded scholars, sought to balance understandings of science, technology, and history within the framework of classical Chinese writings. Exploring ideas in fields as broad ranging as astronomy, geography, governance, phonology, and etymology, Dai grappled with Western ideas and