吴文俊“几何定理之机器证明”的文化意义

The Cultural Meaning of Wu Wenjun's “Mechanical Theorem Proving in Geometries”

吴文俊在深刻领悟传统数学的基础上,融合西方数学和当代科技发展,一举解决了几何定理的机器证明问题。他的史学实践入乎其内,通过恢复本土知识语境而呈现自身传统与规范;又出乎其外,既以西方数学为观照,又以当代科技发展为创造性转化的发酵剂,处于时空中的各地方性知识分而不离。他所创立的"吴方法"找到了中西数学会通的途径,对不同文化中科学的不可通约性提出了挑战。在当前中国科学史研究中,文化相对主义思潮以多元文化为辩护辞,强调地方性和差异性维度,使科学陷入地方性的海洋。吴文俊案例表明多元文化的科学观与文化相对主义并非存在必然对应,为超越传统/现代、地方性/全球性、本土/西方、多元/一元的藩篱提供了方法论启示。

Based on the profound understanding of the traditional Chinese mathematics(TCM), merging with Western mathematics and modern science and technology, Wu Wenjun solved the problem of mechanical theorem proving in geometries. Hishistorical practice presents the traditions and norms of Chinese mathematics through the recovery of indigenous knowledge context and meanwhile uses Western mathematics as a frame of reference, and contemporary scientific and technological development as ferment for its creative transformation, rendering local knowledge in different space and times distinguishable but inseparable. ‘Wu's Method' has found the approach of conversion and syncretism between Chinese and Western mathematics, which has vigorously challenged the incommensurability of sciences in different cultures. In current China, the trend of cultural relativism is growing in the studies of the history of Chinese science, emphasizing too much on the dimensions of locality and difference in the excuse of multiculturalism, leaving science local. The successful example of Wu not only shows that multicultural view of science does not necessarily correspond with cultural relativism, but also provides very useful methodological inspirations for us to transcend the barriers of traditional dualism, such as being traditional or modern, indigenous or Western, local or global, holding monism or pluralism.