自然神学与近代科学的兴起

Natural Theology and the Rise of Modern Science

自然神学是欧洲近代思想的底色,它对欧洲近代文化思想领域的影响和渗透是全方位的,其中也包括自然科学在内。与中世纪的思辨性相比,近代自然神学具有明显的实践性和实证性。基于这一特征,自然神学在近代特定的历史文化氛围中,为近代自然科学提供了助力:一方面它给自然科学提供了价值观基础,另一方面它构成了某些自然科学学科的研究框架。客观认识上述两个方面,有助于人们更好地理解和把握科学发展过程的复杂性及曲折性。

Natural theology was the background of modern European thought.One of the goals of modern natural theology was to try to know God through the observation of nature and the search of laws of nature.Thus, it had a profound impact on the rise of science.On the one hand, it provided a foundation of values for modern science, and on the other hand, it created the research framework for certain disciplines, such as geology and natural history.This article attempts to shed light on the understanding of the intricate and sophisticated interaction between science and religion in modern history.