老子的自然哲学与科学

(7)The Relationship Between Lao Zi's Natural Philosophy and Science

本文从自然哲学的角度 ,探讨《老子》关于本体论、宇宙论和普遍规律的思想 ,试图说明它与科学的关系。本文认为老子的自然哲学曾为中国古代科学提供了形而上学基础和重要的范导 ,但与西方近代科学所继承的古希腊构成论的自然哲学传统是互斥的 ,因而与西方经典科学的基础是互斥的。2 0世纪以来 ,西方科学已在批判继承经典科学全部成果和方法的基础上 ,从原子论和还原论走向生成论和整体论 ,从机械论走向有机论 ;2 0世纪下半叶新兴的系统科学和非线性科学 ,与中国传统思想、特别是老子及道家思想有了许多相通相似之处。基于不同传统而互斥的中西文化和科学呈现出新的综合与互补趋势。人类未来的科学文化应是在天人合一观照下的主客二分 ,在大化流行体悟下的进化发展 。

This paper explores Lao Zi's concepts of ontology, the cosmos and universal laws from the perspective of natural philosophy, and tries to elucidate the relationship between these ideals and science. The author believes that Lao Zi's natural philosophy provided the metaphysical foundation, and was a significant guide, for ancient science in China. However, it ran contrary to the natural philosophical tradition of ancient Greek constructivism inherited by Western modern science, and therefore mitigated against the foundation of Western classical science. Since the beginning of the 20th century, on the basis of critically inheriting the achievements and methods of classical science, Western science has moved from atomic and reductionist theories towards general and holistic theories, and from mechanistic towards organic theories. Systems science and non linear science, which appeared in the latter half of the 20th century, have much in common with traditional Chinese thought, especially that of Lao Zi and the Taoist school. Chinese and Western cultures and sciences at opposite ends of the spectrum have thus become combined and mutually complementary. In future, scientific and cultural development will be guided by the theory that man is an integral part of nature, and will evolve with universal human enlightenment. Science should embody the ultimate concerns and common destiny of all of mankind.