“自然平衡”观念的历史演变:从神意生态学到科学生态学

The Historical Evolution of the Concepts of the"Balance of Nature":From Providential Ecology to Scientific Ecology

从古希腊到19世纪的达尔文之前,西方对自然的主流认识是,神意是自然界中一切事物及其特征的终极原因——神意生态学。古希腊自然哲学中的“自然平衡”,以“神意生态学”为基旨;中世纪宗教神学的“自然平衡”观念,表明神意生态学勿庸多言;17世纪机械论的“自然平衡”观念,体现了博物学的神意生态学协调;18世纪理性的“自然平衡”观念,是神意生态学应对博物学的新挑战;19世纪达尔文的进化论思想最终革新了“自然平衡”的定义,博物学随之开启一个新时代,一个基于科学认识的时代,对自然认识的神学背景开始逐渐淡化,神意生态学最终退场。

Before from ancient Greece to Darwin in the 19th century,the prevailing understanding of nature in the West was deeply rooted in the belief that divine will served as the ultimate cause for all things and their characteristics in nature.This perspective,known as providential ecology,shaped the concept of the"balance of nature"in various historical periods.The concept of"balance of nature"in ancient Greek natural philosophy was grounded in this providential ecology.During the medieval period,the concept of the"balance of nature"indicated the providential ecology needs no further explanation.The concept of"balance of nature"in 17th century mechanistic theory reflected the coordinated theology of providential ecology in natural history.In the 18th century,a rational interpretation of"balance of nature"emerged was a new challenge to providential ecology in response to natural history.Then,In the 19th century,Darwin's evolutionary ideas eventually revolutionized the definition of"balance of nature",and a new era of natural history began,an era based on scientific understanding,and the theological background of the understanding of nature began to gradually fade,and providential ecology eventually retired.