“有什么”:《本草纲目》科学特质撮要——异于“缺什么”与“像什么”的科学史考察

“Having What”:A Summarize Study of Science Characteristics in Bencao Gangmu:A Research Approach of Scientific History Different from“Lacking What”and“Liking What”

在“有什么”而非“缺什么”“像什么”的科学史考察思路下,对中国传统社会“纯粹本土科学”最后一高峰——《本草纲目》科学特质进行尝试性梳理。哲学渊源上“理实二学”印迹明显、精神气质上“德统领智”与“智因德丰”、逻辑形式上重“取象类推”的多元策略、知识秉性上“求权”但不“求力”以及生长形态上“退着朝前走”,为梳理的主要结果。具有这些特质的《本》,是中国传统科学“样板房”。在现代社会,包括《本》在内的中国传统科学,要处理“保真性”和“可融性”的矛盾,需避免“后殖民批判”和“反向格义”,与西方科学“会通以超胜”,“相释”不“相噬”。“有什么”的考察思路,正是对这些策略的自觉试用。

Through a research approach of scientific history,named“having what”,different from“liking what”and“lacking what”,in Bencao Gangmu(or Compendium of Materia Media),the last peak of purely indigenous science in traditional Chinese society,we found the following characteristics.First,its philosophical origins were marked by Cheng-Zhu Neo-Confucianism and the Pragmaticism of the Ming dynasty.Second,its spiritual temperament was moral leading and increasing knowledge.The diversified strategy of emphasizing“Analogy by Appearance”,the intellectual disposition the pursuit of“variety”but not“force”,and the manner of“retreating by moving forward”in the form of growth were its main inherent characteristics independent of Western scientific thoughts.Bencao Gangmu,which contains these characteristics,was a sample house of Chinese traditional science.In modern society,Chinese traditional sciences,including Bencao Gangmu,have to settle the conflict between keeping the purity of itself and blending in“the other”.To avoid postcolonial critique and reverse analogical interpretation,being proficient in using Western science concept but not echoing what it says,making mutual interpretation but not engulfing,maybe is a reasonable strategy.The research approach of“having something”just is an autopsyche application of this strategy.