在中外文化交流史上,明末清初的“西学东渐”过程占有重要的一席之地。关于这一时期的开始,学术界普遍以利玛窦的到来为标志。本文试图尽量将这一历史活动放诸世界大范围形势下,从与此有关的社会情况入手,以求能得出关于利玛窦来华原因的较清晰的结论。一、利玛窦、耶稣会及天主教 In the history of cultural exchanges between China and foreign countries, the process of “learning from west to east” occupies an important place in the late Ming and early Qing dynasties. About the beginning of this period, the academic community generally marks the arrival of Ricci. This article attempts to put this historic activity as far as possible under the wide range of circumstances in the world and starts with the social situation related to this in order to draw a clearer conclusion on the reasons why Ricci came to China. I. Matteo Ricci, Jesuits and Catholics