《墨经》中“端”之新释——兼与姜宝昌教授商榷

A New Explanation of “Duan” in The Mohist Canons:A Discussion with Prof. Jiang Baochang

《墨经》是我国历史上首部内容深刻的科学著作,其中蕴含丰富的科学概念。《墨经》中"端"在古代自然科学中是最原始的概念之一,具有最基本的重要性,对于它的释义多达百条,本文引用诸家论述予以介绍。姜宝昌教授曾解释"端"的涵义,形成原子说、顶端说和几何点说,在阐释、辨析这三种观点的基础上,文章提出在方法论上需要避免以今代古、以西释中的方便做法,对比惠施"小一"与"端"的相似之处,笔者认为惠施的"小一"可以作为对墨子"端"的新阐释。这种新的理解或更贴近墨子的思维方法和知识背景。

The Mohist Canons was the first scientific works with profound contest in the history of our country,including in abundant scientific concept. ＂Duan＂ of The Mohist Canons was one of the most primitive concepts in＇the ancient natural sciences, and had the most basic importance. Its interpretations were as many as one hundreds. This paper referred to many opinions. Professor Jiang Baochang had explained the meaning of ＂duan＂ , having formed ideas of atom, top and geometric point. On the basis of interpretation and analysis about three views, the article proposed that convenient practices of nowadays instead of ancient and western view explained China view need to be avoided in methodology. Contrasting the similarity that between ＂minimal point without internal＂ of Huishi and ＂duan＂, the auther thought that ＂minimal point without internal＂ could be used as a new interpretation of ＂duan＂. This new understanding might be closer to Mozi＇ s thinking method and knowledge background.