洋务官员董毓琦“用夏变夷”的思想与实践——以其造船活动和对西算的认识为中心

The Thought and Practice of Self-Strengthening Movement Official Dong Yuqi's "Yong Xia Bian Yi": Focusing on His Shipbuilding Activities and Understanding of Western Mathematics

董毓琦是洋务派成员之一,主要活动于晚清洋务运动时期,对西方的科技有一定的认识,但持有较明显的尊崇中学的态度。文章勾勒出其大致生平;梳理其建造气行轮船的经过,并通过分析其中部分构件,指出其所造气行轮船应为人力驱动,通过齿轮、皮带等机械传动运行的一套装置;概述他在数学上的贡献,辨析其算学辟邪崇正说,指出尽管他对西方数学有所了解与运用,在一定程度上体现中西数学的会通,但在认识上又存在矛盾,更多地体现出固守中国传统算学的思想。他对待西学中"用夏变夷"的态度,在其制造轮船和数学活动上均有体现。

As one of the members of the Self-Strengthening Movement in the late Qing Dynasty,Dong Yuqi had a fundamental understanding of Western science and technology,though also had a strong tendency to respect traditional Chinese culture.This article outlines his life story,and sketches out the building process of his“Moving-Vapour Paddle-steamer”.Analysis of its structural sections indicates that the ship must have been driven by human power,and that it was moved by a mechanical transmission system including gears,belts and other devices,rather than by steam or air.Moreover,this article summarizes Dong Yuqi s mathematical works,analyzing his Suanxue Pixi Chongzheng Shuo,pointing out that with his knowledge of Western mathematics,he could partly combine Chinese and Western mathematical theories.Meanwhile,contradictions in his understanding are pointed out,revealing his tendency to stick to traditional Chinese mathematical thinking.His standpoint of“Y ong Xia Bian Yi”,which means adapting what is foreign to Chinese civilization,was reflected in his manufacturing of ships and his mathematical activities.