笛卡尔的“Mathesis Universalis”思想的译名归属

On the Translation of Descartes' Thought: “Mathesis Universalis”

"Mathesis Universalis"是笛卡尔哲学体系中一个重要概念,但由于在原著中占据篇幅不大,所以未受到应有的重视,它的译名问题也一直未有定论。有学者认为"Mathesis Universalis"与形而上学沉思的关联问题是研究该问题的一个突破口,"Mathesis Universalis"思想具有形而上学的倾向,所以应该译为"普遍科学",而不是译为"普遍数学"。但笔者持相反观点,认为将"Mathesis Universalis"翻译为"普遍数学"没有狭隘了其含义,思想本身的形而上学的倾向也没有就此薄弱,相反仅仅翻译为"普遍科学"似乎忽略了其与数学的关系。

＂Mathesis Universalis＂, an important concept of Cartesian philosophical system, has not been given the due attention because of the little space it occupies in the original work. And till now, no consensus has been reached on its translation. To some scholars, the relationship between Mathesis Universalis and metaphysical contemplation is a breakthrough for studing this problem,because they believe that Mathesis Universalis have a tendency towards metaphysical thought, and so it should be translated as Scientia Universalis rather than Mathesis Universalis. However, I hold the opposite view that as its translation, Mathesis Universalis does not narrow its meaning or weaken its metaphysical tendency, and comparing with Mathesis Universalis, Scientia Universalis seems to ignore its relationship with mathematics.