在科学与人文之间:胡先骕演化学说的特点及其理论关切

Between Science and Humanities:An Analysis of Hu Xiansu's Theory of Evolution

在近代知识界传播进化论的热潮中,胡先骕对演化学说的介绍有三个特点:首先,指出演化学说为近代分类学和系统论提供了理论基础,促成了传统自然观的现代转型;其次,指出进化史观并不适用于道德领域,将演化学说的有效性限制在了物质领域;最后,对演化与变迁进行了区分,认为人类历史上政治体制几次大的改变才足以称为“演化”。胡先骕关于演化学说的讨论主要有以下三个关切:揭示演化学说对传统价值观的清理作用;反思物质文明片面发展的隐患;对中西文明深入交流共同促成实质演化的期待。

In the wave of spreading the theory of evolution in the modern intellectual community,Hu Xiansu's introduction to the theory of evolution has three characteristics:firstly,he pointed out that the theory of evolution provided a theoretical basis for modern taxonomy and systems theory,promoting the modern transformation of traditional views on nature;secondly,he pointed out that the concept of evolutionary history is not applicable to the moral field,limiting the effectiveness of the theory of evolution to the material field;finally,he pointed out the distinction between evolution and change and firmly believed that only a few changes in political systems in human history can be called"evolution".Correspondingly,Hu Xiansu's discussion on the theory of evolution mainly focuses on the following three issues:revealing the role of evolution theory in clearing traditional values,reflecting on the hidden dangers of one-sided development of material civilization,and expecting in-depth exchanges between Chinese and Western civilizations to jointly promote substantive evolution.