历史理性论的科学史观刍议——为祝贺钱临照先生八秩寿辰而作

A Tentative Discussion on the Conception of History of Science Based on the Historical Rationalism

(一) 科学史是一门科学。任何一门科学都是以实验事实和观测资料(或数据)为基础,从中发现各种现象变化的规律,由此建立起一种理论体系。科学史研究的“实验事实”则是科学发展过程中所出现的历史事实或事件,这包括:科学知识本身产生和发展的情况。

This paper, first of all, gives a brief introduction to the characteristics of thehistory of science as a scientific discipline, points out some deviations in the studyof the theory of history of science and affirms the valuable achievements. Then theauthor puts forward a kind of 'network' consists of 'parallels of history' and 'mer-idians of reason' for readers to understand the outline of the history of science. The'parallels of history' include the mobility, restriction and relativity of the historyas well as the historical inheritance, accumulation and all-inclusiveness. The 'meridi-ans of reason' include the belief in the uniformity and comprehensiblity of the uni-verse, the belief in the consistancy of human experience and reason as well as thebelief in the inevitable progress of science and human race. In the end, the authorgives explanations of the inclusiveness of history, rationalism and the modern scien-tific tradition. Two possible misunderstandings are also clarified.