方以智科学精神解读

On Interpretation of Fang Yizhi's Scientific Spirit

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。认为科学始于对已知结论的怀疑,怀疑是科学的必要条件;科学知识是实证知识,科学研究是实证研究。但由于象数易学的根本制约,方以智的科学怀疑实证精神未能真正地超越传统,促成中国古代科学向近代实验科学的转型。

Fang Yizhi maintained that the skepticism was a major force of scientific development in the spirit of science. It was the essential condition of scientific research which began with the skepticism for the conclusions of the known. Scientific knowledge was substantial knowledge,and science research was substantial research. However, his scientific spirit didn＇t really surpass the tradition and complete the transformation which Chinese ancient science transformed toward modem experimental science, because of the fundamental restriction of image-number school.