严复的方法论思想述评

Yan Fu Methodology and Scholarly Research

严复在传播西学、改铸中国传统哲学的过程中,提出了很多颇有见地的方法论思想,如获取知识的方法:即物实测,格物穷理;检验真理的方法:理之诚妄,其证存乎事实;探求真理的科学方法:归纳和演绎;改铸中国传统哲学的方法:去其旧染,择其所善。这些思想曾有力地促进了近代中国学术文化的发展。今天,梳理并分析严复的方法论思想,对我们借鉴西方的优秀文化成果,为我所用,促进科学和民主的发展,有着重要的现实意义。

Yan Fu adopted and disseminated the western learning, while remolding traditional Chinese philosophy. He brought forth many an insightful method in doing scholarly research, among which were the: method of acquiring knowledge through discerning observation about facts and seeking truth from careful study of objects, the method of investigating truth through clear distinction of accuracy and falsehood and claiming the corroboration of it residing in facts, the method of searching after truth through inductive and deductive methods, and the method of remolding traditional Chinese philosophy through eliminating what are the obsolete diehard blunders and choosing and embracing what is good. Yan Fu's methods in the pursuit of scholarship have stimulated the development of Chinese culture and brazed forth the new path for the intellectuals' learning. A meticulous appraisal and analysis of Yan Fu's methodology in doing scholarly work may help us learn the quintessential parts of Western culture and scholarship, thereby promoting science and democracy.