波义耳元素定义事件始末

The Beginning and End of the Event of Boyle's Definition of an Element

对于"波义耳是否首次给出了科学的元素定义",科学史上前后曾出现两种截然相反的判断,其中认为"波义耳给出了科学元素定义"的错误判断提出最早传播最广。之所以会出现这种科学史事件,根源在波义耳,首先是他本人处于一种既无法通过实验否定元素概念也无法通过实验肯定微粒概念的困境,其次是他独特的写作风格。这两种因素导致了:17-18世纪学者们对波义耳物质理论的沉默,19世纪30年代英国赫歇尔爵士的严厉批评以及德国柯普的误判。20世纪40年代,美国女科学史博士生博厄斯通过重建波义耳的微粒哲学率先修正了误判。

As to whether ＂Boyle gave the scientific definition of an element for the first time＂, there have been two opposite judgments in the history of science. Among them, the misjudgment that ＂Boyle gave the scientific definition of an element＂ is the first proposed and most widely spread one. The reason for this event is rooted in Boyle. First of all, he was in a dilemma of not being able to negate the concept of element through experiments and not being able to affirm the concept of particle through experiments. Secondly, it had to do with his unique writing style. All of these led to the scholars＇ silence to Boyer＇s material theory in the 17th and 18th centuries, and the harsh criticism from Sir Herschel of England and the misjudgment of Kopp of Germany in the 1830s. In the 1940s, Boas, an American woman doctoral student of history of science, first corrected the misjudgment by reconstructing Boyle＇s particle philosophy.