方以智科学观解读

On Interpretation of Fang Yizhi Scientific View

明末清初,中国古代科学开始向近代科学转型。方以智提出了与西方近代之初相类似而又与传统科学观念存在密切联系的科学观,对科学作了与其时代截然不同的理解。方以智第一次把"质测"之学即科学,从传统格物说中独立出来。大力提倡"深求其故"的怀疑精神,认为科学始于对已知结论的怀疑,而其怀疑是建立在其实证观基础之上的。他提出"心物交格"的认识机制,认为科学认识的目的是"以知还物"。方以智的科学观是中国传统科学精神和部分西方科学观念交合贯通的结果,为中国古代科学向近代科学的转型注入了活力。然而,由于象数易学的根本制约,方以智的科学观未能真正地超越传统以完成中国古代科学向近代实验科学的转型。

During the late Ming and early Qing Dynasty,Fang Yizhi put forward his scientific view,which was similar to the view of the modern west and closely related to the traditional scientific view.He had completely different comprehension about science.His view was the outcome of the mixing and cooperating of the Chinese traditional scientific spirits and western scientific ideas,which also vitalized the transformation from ancient science toward modern science.However,his scientific view didn＇t really surpass the tradition and complete the transformation,because of the fundamental restriction of image-number school.