论怀特海自然哲学的演化路径

On the Evolution Path of Whitehead’s Natural Philosophy

怀特海的自然哲学主要奠基于数理逻辑、相对论、量子力学与生物进化论,其演化路径:一是从自然科学的认识论出发,对近代科学及科学唯物论展开批判,并最终转向本体论,建构了形而上学的机体机械论;二是对科学、自然哲学与形而上学之间复杂关联的探讨一直贯穿始终。怀特海自然哲学的内在演化阶段大致可分为早期的科学哲学、中期的自然哲学和后期的机体形而上学三个时期。通过对怀特海自然哲学演化路径的考察和揭示,不仅可以洞悉怀特海哲学思想深受现代科学革命和柏拉图哲学的影响,也能为理解其从自然科学哲学最终转向宇宙论的形而上学提供有益的启示。

Whitehead’s natural philosophy is mainly based on mathematical logic,relativity,quantum mechanics and biological evolution theory.Its evolution path is as follows:firstly,starting from the epistemology of natural science,criticizing modern science and scientific materialism,and finally turning to ontology,constructing the mechanical theory of metaphysics;secondly,keeping on exploring the complex relationship between science,natural philosophy and metaphysics.The internal evolution stage of Whitehead’s natural philosophy can be roughly divided into three periods:early philosophy of science,mid-term natural philosophy,and later metaphysics.By investigating and revealing the evolution path of Whitehead’s natural philosophy,we can not only understand that Whitehead’s philosophy is deeply influenced by modern scientific revolutions and Plato’s philosophy but also provide useful enlightenment for understanding the metaphysics of its transition from the philosophy of natural science to cosmology.