论明末儒家格物致知的自然科学化诠释导向——以方以智、颜元为例

On the Confucian Interpretation of“Gewu Zhizhi”in the Late Ming Dynasty:Take FANG Yizhi and YAN Yuan as Examples

明末时期,儒家学者认为无论是理学还是心学,在对格物致知的诠释上过于强调以伦理道德的天理为知,以致于学风越发虚浮。彼时明朝政治混乱,国家多难,空谈误国,唯有实干才能兴邦。格物致知作为儒家学者的为学根基,在诠释方向上逐渐由伦理道德转向自然科学。方以智和颜元等人兴起了实学思潮,提出“质测”“动手”等格物方法,强调物理实践,不断提升自然科学的致知意义,初步实现了儒家传统伦理道德和自然科学的协调共进。

In the late Ming Dynasty,Confucian scholars believed that both Neo-Confucianism and Xinxue(School of Mind)placed too much emphasis on the knowledge of ethics and morality in the interpretation of“gewu zhizhi”(things investigated and genuine knowledge acquired)resulting in a tradition of vanity in study.At that time,the Ming Dynasty was politically chaotic and troubled.While empty talks weakened the country further,hard work could save the country.As the foundation of Confucian scholarship,“gewu zhizhi”was gradually shifted from ethics and morality to natural science when interpreted.FANG Yizhi,YAN Yuan and others aroused the trend of real learning,put forward“Zhice”and“Dongshou”methods,emphasized on practice,and continuously improved the knowledge acquiring of natural sciences,and realized the initial coordination of traditional Confucian ethics and natural sciences for the first time.