从洋务事业看洋务派“知识”意识的觉醒

The Knowledge Consciousness Awakening of the Western Affairs Faction

发生于19世纪60年代的洋务运动,在掀起中国现代化运动的同时,也开启了中国大规模西学的进程。洋务派在设译馆、办学堂、派留学生的实践中,对西方科学技术的认识经历了从制造而格致,从格致而算学的过程,表明洋务派已经认识到制器背后的自然科学知识,为后来的维新派乃至“五四”时期的科学派从制度、方法、精神层面上理解科学技术架起了认识桥梁。然而,“中体西用”这一洋务运动的主臬,障碍了洋务派对科学技术的进一步认识,其部分原因在于中国古即有之的实用主义科技观。洋务派对科学技术认识的局限,是中国传统科学文化局限性之缩影。

The Western Affairs Movement of 1860s started modernizations of China. Meanwhile,large-scale Western Learning began in China.Through the practices such as opening translation studios,running new-style schools,sending students to western countries,Western Affairs Faction underwent the process from making implements to science,then to mathematics in understanding science and technology.It shows that they have cognized the natural science knowledge which hides behind the manufacturing technology.This realization led Reformation Faction and Science Faction in later years to understand more deeply in institutional,methodological,and spiritual perspectives.However,'Defending intrinsic Chinese learning with non-essential western learning',which is the dogma of the Western Affairs Movement,hindered them to understand science more deeply.It results partly from practical view of science and technology which exists in Chinese traditional culture.Their limitations to understand science and technology reflect limitations of Chinese traditional science culture.