神仙迷雾中的科学颗粒——中国传统炼丹术面面观

The Scientific Particles behind the Immortal Idea:Aspects of Chinese Traditional Alchemy

中国传统炼丹术虽因目标的虚幻早已退出历史舞台,但拨开炼丹术的神仙迷雾,在炼丹术的理论与实践中也包含着诸多值得总结思考的内容。在荒谬的追求中,神仙意志支配下的炼丹活动客观上产生了一些有价值的副产品。从"炼丹所依据的正确哲学和科学命题","在正确前提指导下的炼丹术如何最终走向谬误"、"在歪曲和虚妄中又何以能取得客观的科学成果"等问题展开分析论证,既肯定了古代炼丹家通过人工变革自然的主动探求精神,也揭示了其中错误的原因。

Chinese traditional alchemy has exited for a long time, due to its illusory objectives. Yet stripped of alchemy＇s immortal idea, the theories and practices of alchemy also contain many things worth summarizing and reflecting. During the absurd pursuit, the alchemy activities, under the guidance of immortals＇ ideas, have produced objectively certain valuable by-products. Developing the analysis and demonstration of questions such as ＂the correct philosophical and scientific propositions on which alchemy based＂, ＂how alchemy ended in fallacy though based on correct premise＂, and ＂how scientific results were objectively achieved through the distorted and unfounded＂, this article affirmed the ancient alchemists＇ spirits to take the initiative in questing for transforming nature through human efforts, as well as revealed the reasons for their errors.