关于中国古代有无科学的论辩及其超越

The Debate on the Presence or Absence of Science in Ancient China and Its Transcendence

在中国古代究竟有无科学的问题上,一直存在着两种截然不同的观点:一种是无科学论,即强调中国古代不仅没有近代意义上的自然科学,而且甚至没有构成近代自然科学的关键元素;另一种是有科学论,即强调中国古代不仅具有构成近代自然科学的关键元素,而且还具有某种超前性。要走出这场论辩的困境,关键是要建立一种关于什么是科学的新的分析框架。从将科学理解为“技术传统”和“哲学传统”二者有机结合的分析框架看,最客观公允的结论应当是,中国古代不仅有科学,而且在技术层面特别发达;正如欧洲古代不仅有科学,而且在哲学层面特别发达一样。

The question of whether there was science in ancient China has historically elicited two starkly contrasting viewpoints.On the one hand,the “no-science” argument emphasizes that not only did ancient China lack modern natural science,but it also lacked the essential elements that constitute it.On the other hand,the “pro-science” argument underscores that ancient China not only possessed the critical elements necessary for modern natural science,but also exhibited a certain degree of precocity.To navigate beyond this debate,it is crucial to establish a new analytical framework for what constitutes science.Viewing science as an organic combination of “technological traditions” and “philosophical traditions”,the most objective and fair conclusion would be that ancient China indeed had its own form of science,particularly advanced in technological aspects,just as ancient Europe had science,notably advanced in philosophical aspects.