论五行学说的技术性起源

The Technological Origin of the Theory of Wuxing

五行说中的金、木、水、火、土并不是构成世界的五种元素,而是中国上古定居农业时代的五大生产要素。五行相生相克关系是对当时农业社会中的重要生产过程和方法的反映和总结。从技术的角度探讨五行学说的起源,为理解中国古代科技和文化提供一种新思路。

＂Wuxing （Five Agents）＂, a key concept of Chinese traditional thought, is usually regarded as coming from the ancients＇ knowledge a bout the five elements, namely metal, wood, water, fire, and earth. The Five Elements are essentially productive elements in the ancient Chinese agriculture, but not the basic elements of building the world. The relationship of Wuxing＇s promoting and constraining successively is the reflection and summarization of the ancient Chinese agricultural production. It＇s a new way to comprehend the traditional Chinese science-technology and culture by discussing the technological origin of the theory of Wuxing.