简单性追求中的本体论危机:以乔姆斯基的语言研究为例

Ontological Crisis in the Pursuit of Simplicity:Exemplified byChomsky’s Study on Language

简单性原则是认识过程中的一项理想化的技术性设定。乔姆斯基在研究中延续了卡尔纳普和古德曼等人的简单性原则,其语言研究中的简单性追求可以划分为方法简单性、认识简单性和本体简单性3个阶段。进入本体简单性阶段之后,乔姆斯基将简单性原则扩展至研究对象本身,并在语言研究中一再简化作为生物实体的原则性语言因素,直至造成了对语言认识上的本体论危机。简单性追求的本体论危机是理想化研究策略过度运用的结果,它也在客观上提醒我们自然本身是复杂的,我们应该对自然的复杂性报以敬畏之心。理想化研究策略中的简单性追求应该深化方法简单性,止于认识简单性。

Simplicity is an idealized technical pursuit in our research.Chomsky borrowed the principle of simplicity from Carnap and Goodman in his study of language and his pursuit of the principle can be divided into three stages,namely,methodological simplicity,epistemological simplicity and ontological simplicity.When it comes to the last stage,Chomsky applies the principle in the exploration of research objects themselves,and has persistently reduced the number of“principal”biological components of language in his study,which consequently leads to a kind of ontological crisis in his explanation of the faculty of language.The ontological crisis is a result of overusing the research strategy of idealization.The crisis itself reminds us of the complexity of the natural world which we should honor with reverence.Therefore,in applying the research strategy of idealization,the pursuit of simplicity should be restricted to methodological simplicity and epistemological simplicity,and any application of the principle at the ontological level should be strictly avoided.