帕拉塞尔苏斯的“经验”观念探析

An Investigation into Paracelsus’ Notion of Experience

"经验"是16-17世纪自然哲学与科学中的核心词汇,追溯经验-实验科学的发展史对于理解科学革命来说具有根本性的意义,而帕拉塞尔苏斯的思想学说为回答有关"经验"意义与起源的问题提供了重要的思想资源。通过对相关文本的分析,本文试图展示,帕拉塞尔苏斯"经验"观念之根本特征在于"启示",作为"启示"的经验统一了炼金术操作与宗教性体验。帕氏的"经验"观念在三方面为近代自然科学的兴起提供了积极的动力:首先,这种观念有助于推翻亚里士多德主义自然哲学的统治地位;其次,炼金术领域的经验不仅鼓励了实践性的研究态度,而且提倡获取对自然界的深度认识;最后,经验探究与宗教使命的结合不仅创造了一种强有力的"经验"话语,而且为经验性知识及研究确立了合法性和权威性。

"Experience"(experientia) is a key concept of natural philosophy and science in the 16th and 17th centuries. To trace the development of empirical-experimental science is of fundamental importance for an adequate understanding of the Scientific Revolution, and Paracelsus’ thought has provided an important source for us to understand the meaning and origin of modern experience. Based on an analysis of related texts, this study attempts to show that the fundamental characteristic of Paracelsus’ notion is that experience could be seen as "revelation". Experience as revelation united both alchemical operation and religious experience. This notion of experience played a positive role in the rise of modern science in three aspects. Firstly, it helped to overthrow the rule of Aristotelian natural philosophy. Secondly, experience related to alchemical studies encouraged people to take a practical attitude in the research of nature and to obtain deeper knowledge about natural things. Finally,the close union between experiential inquiry and religious mission not only created a strong discourse about experience, but also helped to establish the legitimacy and authority of experiential knowledge and research.