炼金术在科学史上的驱逐与重建

The Expulsion and Reconstruction of Alchemy in the History of Science

近年来,炼金术在科学史上的状态从被驱逐转向被重建。普林西比和纽曼等学者的工作旨在否认科学革命编史中制金与化学的清晰界线,以使炼金术在科学史上获得重建。这一进路关注到制金和化学的连续性问题,但因模糊两者的进步性终会走向困局。在科学史上理性地重建炼金术,应从科学哲学的角度理清化学之于制金的进步性转换,从而确认炼金术的科学性。此进路将通过拉卡托斯的科学研究纲领方法论实现。

Recently alchemy has shifted from expulsion to reconstruction in the history of science.Principe and Newman sought to reconstruct alchemy by denying the clear distinction between chrysopoeia and chemistry in the compilation of scientific revolutions.This process focuses on the continuity of chrysopoeia and chemistry,but will result in an impasse from blurring their progressiveness.It is necessary to clarify the progressiveness of chemistry and chrysopoeia so as to acknowledge the scientific nature of alchemy under philosophy of science.This process will be realized through the methodology of scientific research programmes by Lakatos.