Why do children enlighten scientific enlightenment?
How to learn to think like scientists?
Science basically does not have the advantage of post -development.Scientifically behind others can only pursue the foundation, find constraints, and catch up honestly.
Text | Han Qide
My report is focusing on asking questions, not answering questions. It is intended to throw out the “target”, with a view to causing everyone’s thinking and discussion.I will raise three issues, covering four specific issues in each aspect.
What is science
This is a basic issue. If it is impossible to reach an agreement on science, it is easy to discuss the problems of other scientific and civilized issues.Focusing on “what is science”, I raised four more specific and in -depth questions.
1. How to define science?
For the definition of science, many experts and scholars have discussed quite a lot, but there is no clear and recognized answer to now.
The first view is that science is a knowledge system.For example, in the interpretation of science in “Ci Hai” and “The Encyclopedia of China”, different limited words were used before, but in the end they were all settled on the “knowledge system”.
The second view is that science is a paradigm of production knowledge.Because the essence of science is not the truth that has been recognized, but to explore the truth; science itself is not knowledge, but a social activity of production knowledge. It is a scientific production.
The third view is that science is a social system.The typical physicist Bellner of the UK(J.D.bernal)It is proposed: “The scientific system is a social fact, which is associated by the people’s group through certain organizational relationships to handle some kind of business in society.”
Finally, the fourth view is that science is a historical category.The process of scientific production and development can be summarized as the basis of ancient Greek rationality, experienced the long -term medieval Christian changes and infiltration, and started with the revolution in the field of astronomy and the establishment of the Newtonian mechanical system.
Although Nietzsche said that history is irreversible, I think that only through the understanding and profound understanding of the history of science and seeing the process of science can really have a more accurate understanding of what science is.
In fact, the term “science” itself reflects the historical category.From Episteme in Greek to LatinscientiaUntil the 17th century, French had science.
In English, although the word Science was in the 17th century, it was not until the 19th century that science changed from Nature Philosophy to the science of divisions. When the production activity of knowledge carried out in a certain paradigm, this word was widely used to express science.The meaning.
German’s “science” is Wissenschaft, which includes social science, but the science of English only includes natural science.
In the 19th century, the Japanese accepted the word science in English. At that time, because natural science had been divided into science, Japanese translated it as “science”(Learning of Division)Essence
Some Chinese scholars have turned Science into “Study”, which is more in line with Chinese culture and text.But due to some historical factors, Chinese finally adoptedEssence
Therefore, the word “science” we use today is derived from Science in the 19th century English, referring to modern science since the 19th century.It is very important to understand the meaning of the word “science” in Chinese. It is very important to understand from the scope of historical evolution.
According to the above explanation, the definition of science can be summarized as:Science is formed by inheriting the ancient Greek rational tradition. It is formed by the European scientific revolution in the 16th to 17th century. The ideological system and knowledge production process and corresponding social systems combined with logical reasoning, mathematical descriptions and experimental tests.At the same time, it is clear that science is only one of the human knowledge and smart system.
In addition to special explanations, it talks about “science”, which refers to modern mathematical and experimental science represented by Newton.
2,How much does the internal motivation of scientific development still play today?
Internal motivation refers to human curiosity, curiosity, and science itself; external motivation refers to social needs, national interests, and policy -driven.Engels said: “Once there is a technical need for society, this need will be more scientific than ten universities.”
Many scholars believe that the development of science and technology to this day, the driving force of external demand is getting stronger and stronger, and the internal motivation of scientists is getting weaker and weaker, and even disappeared.
But I also agree that the point of view of another scholar, that is, internal power is always very important, And at the moment, there are still major scientific achievements made by internal power drive. For example, Perrerman refuses to accept all major awards after cracking Poncale’s conjecture, as well as Chinese mathematician Zhang Yitang insisting on his interest in unemployment and poverty.Mathematical issues have finally achieved historic breakthroughs in the field of twin prime guessing. From many promising winners, they can also see the powerful motivation of pure pursuit of science from the heart.
So, is the scientist’s sense of responsibility in internal power or external power?The characteristics of “responsibility” are very significant in many Chinese scientists.They engaged in scientific research are not completely due to personal interests and curiosity, nor the names of the name, but the responsibility of Chinese intellectuals who have saved the country and a scientific power.This sense of responsibility is from the heart, but it is also affected by the external environment.
Scientific neutrality(Scientific Neutrality)It refers to science and not be subject to value constraints and value.Specifically, scientific purposes are not affected by social value; the scientific understanding process does not require value judgment; scientific achievements are neutral, and their technical applications can be divided into good and evil.
But some scholars have put forward different views.For example, the emergence of the Astronomy Revolution, many scientists’ research is purely curious. Its purpose can be said to be neutral, but it is still difficult to completely separate from value, because if there is no Renaissance to establish people’s concept of value independent,Those scientists cannot liberate their ideological imprisonment to study those issues.
When modern science is only generated,Bacon said: “The true and legal purpose of science is to give new discoveries and new forces to human life”EssenceAnother example is that scientists take animals to do experiments, and first confirm that human value is higher than “non -human”.
In addition, when many scientific research is not applied, it has already begun to consider its value.For example, the physicist Slad during World War II had called on scientists not to do nuclear fission research, because he saw that the study of nuclear fission would definitely go to nuclear weapons.
Because he could not oppose it later, he was worried that Germany took the lead in creating atomic bombs, and in turn he actively promoted the US government to quickly develop to check and balance Fascist Germany.2019The Nobel Prize in Medicine or Biology awarded the achievements of the research on the research of hypoxia tolerance. From the perspective of research content, it is completely a neutral basic life science issue, but in fact, researchers have carcinogenic treatment from the beginning.Application purpose.
Therefore, it can be understood in the words of Merdon: “The value and ideological feelings that dominate the position belong to the cultural variables that always affect the scientific development.”
Is science neutral?This is a very worthy of discussion, because it will affect the understanding of science, the understanding of the relationship between science and technology, and the in -depth discussion of ethical issues.
4. Is the current science is in a breakthrough period?
The “breakthrough period” refers to the period when modern science has been fully changed after the 16th century.In the 16th century, the modern scientific paradigm established by Newton’s mathematical experimental experiment, will the fundamental changes in the future not far?
There seems to be some signs of “breakthrough period” now, including:
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The integration and development of science, technology and engineering;
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The rise of big science;The development of quantum science and technology;
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Confirmation of dark matter and dark energy;
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The development of artificial intelligence;
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The gradual maturity of gene editing technology;
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Progress of brain science and cognitive research.
These developments have challenged the basic paradigm confirmed by modern science.
Modern science pursues certainty, and quantum trajectories are considered uncertainty; modern science restoration theory paradigm cannot solve the problem of complex systems; the interpretation method originated in the Greek period is considered to be the main method of science, but now it looks like a big.Data and so on began to use induction methods; in addition, more and more problems that could not be confirmed by experimental methods were found.
When will the fundamental breakthrough occur when the Science Association is difficult to predict. The only thing that can do is to carefully examine the evolution of science.(Evolution), Figure out where science comes from, step by step to this day, so as to get some useful guessing where science will go.If science has changed the picture of the whole world, and the people’s understanding of the world has changed fundamental changes, so that science has made a breakthrough.
Regarding “what is science”, I raised the above four questions. These problems are more controversial, very interesting, and are closely linked to reality.
What is the relationship between science and civilization
This covers four specific problems.
The “Toilet Revolution” defeated the genome plan and eliminates the results of infectious diseases. It was rated as the most impact on human civilization, especially human health in the past 100 years.It is the greatest and the biggest efficiency of human health, and it is also the biggest progress representing human civilization.Taking this as an introduction, proposing civilization is the positive achievements in human culture, marking the progress and opening up of society, manifested as a good lifestyle and fashion.
The development of civilization is diverse, imbalanced, and can be divided into historical stages.Therefore, the so -called different civilizations divided by different regions and different historical periods appear.
For example, the four major civilizations, axis civilizations, and Huntington proposed today’s seven civilizations, western civilization and oriental civilization, and various religious civilizations.The diversity of civilization makes this world more colorful and beautiful; but due to the imbalance of development, conflicts between different civilizations are also understandable.
2. Does following science must follow Western civilization?
Science stems from the West, which greatly promotes the development of western civilization. It is undoubtedly the main source and characteristics of Western civilization.It can be said that “scientific labels have the label of Western civilization.”
The development of civilization is no longer inseparable from science, and modernization featuring Western civilization is an unstoppable world trend.Therefore, civilizations in various regions in various countries leave the seal of Western civilization.
However, science and western civilization should not be equated.Because the progress of Western civilization depends not only on science, but the process of non -Western civilization does not depend on science.Science has played an extremely important role in the progress of civilization, but at the same time, it cannot be separated from many other factors. Those factors are different in different countries and different periods.
In addition, modern science is the general exchange of scientific knowledge in many different civilizations, and contains different civilization elements.Li Joseph said: “Different civilizations of the ancient science flow, just like rivers and rivers to the ocean of modern science.”
In fact, modern science has actually contained the achievements of all ethnic groups in the old world. The contribution of all ethnic groups is constantly injecting, or from ancient Greece, Rome, or from the Arab world, or from China and India. “Elements of major civilizations in the world.
There is a lot of controversy on this view, and it is also worth discussing. I think the conclusion depends on the far -reaching history and more indirect relationships, or from a closer and more direct relationship.Due to the emergence and development of science, Western civilization has settled in the leading position in modern times and is worth learning from other countries and regions, but Western civilization should not live on other civilizations proudly.
Each civilization is tolerant of each other, and the integration of collisions can make human civilization improve faster and better.I appreciate the famous saying of Mr. Fei Xiaotong, “The beauty of each beauty, the beauty of beauty, the beauty of the beauty, the world, and the world.”When paying attention to the relationship between science and civilization, due to the complexity of the problem, we must pursue more sufficient research and conduct more in -depth discussions and exchanges.
3. Is science only through technologyCan we affect civilization?
The development of modern science has led to three major technological revolutions and promoted human society to successively enter the “steam era”, “electrical era” and “information age”.Scientific progress really needs to be transformed into productivity by promoting technological innovation. The development of productive forces has promoted changes in production relations, which in turn affects all aspects of civilization such as politics, culture and society.
But is this the only way to scientifically affect civilization?Obviously not.Because science also has a fundamental impact on the worldview, values and ways of thinking, science has the wisdom beyond function and the value beyond skills.The emergence of modern science has promoted the emergence of humanistic and modern philosophy. Human beings have a new understanding of their status in nature, and values have changed fundamentally.
The huge influence of science’s introduction on China on modern civilization in China is not only reflected in the progress of productivity, but also the Chinese world view has fundamentally changed.After the May 4th Movement and the New Culture Movement, “Mr. Sai” and “Mr. De” were destroyed on the Chinese land together, causing the Chinese society for two thousand years.
In addition, due to the emergence and development of science, the core of the world’s education has changed from simple humanities to attach importance to modern science.
4. Human society can controlIs the direction of scientific development?
Some people describe that once modern science is generated, it is like opening the Pandora’s box. Its direction is not transferred by people’s will.Take genetic research as an example,DNA dual spiral structureThe discovery clarifies the material foundation of genes and promotes the vigorous development of molecular biology.
By the 1970s, humans had been able to change and reorganize DNA. At that time, many politicians and scientists proposed objections that the research of reorganization DNA would eventually change humanity.
However, the opposition sound did not stop the research. Not only did the human genome diagram of the human genome, it was already possible for genetic editing.Therefore, once scientific research in a certain field develops, it is difficult to control.Can science out of control cause human civilization to retreat, and even accelerate the demise of human beings?In today’s combination of artificial intelligence with the Internet and big data, it is even time to consider this problem.
This triggered another question. Can science solve the problems brought by itself?For example, the current problems, the more the information technology develops, and the greater the information security is facing the challenge.Some people believe that these problems are because science is not developed and has no more powerful abilities to control science, and it will always find solutions; but some people think that science cannot find all the methods to solve the problems that they bring.
If science cannot solve its own problems, then humanities’ control and control of science are particularly important.As a result, the relationship between science and humanities has attracted more and more attention and attention.
What are the particularity of science and civilization in China?
In this regard, I also asked four specific questions.
1. Is there any science in ancient China?
There is a long history of scientific controversy in ancient China.In 1915, the pioneer who received scientific education in the WestRen HongyiIn the “Science” magazine, he published “the reason why China has no science”; in 1922, Chinese philosopher Feng Youlan published an English article “Why China Has No Science”.; In 1945, Zhu Kezhen published an article “Why did not produce natural science in ancient China.”
But Joseph has a different understanding of them. He believes that ancient China was scientific and expressed this view in books such as “History of Chinese Science and Technology” and “Ding Ding of Civilization”.Joseph does not understand Chinese, but since he became interested in the history of Chinese science, he has gained a lot of energyAncient Chinese ScienceRelated documents and allusions, summarize the ancient Chinese science and technology system and related theories.
The discussion of this issue has these reasons for supporting scholars in ancient China: Western science is not the only science; China has its own unique scientific system; ancient Chinese is a mature discipline of its own self -formation system; ancient Chinese astronomyIt is a scientific category; ancient Chinese metallurgy and ceramics have contained experimental elements.
The opponents responded to this one by one: the ancient Chinese knowledge method depends on it and lacks interpretation; China’s knowledge system does not pursue certainty, lacks logic and mathematical tradition;Most of them belong to the category of “rituals”. They are officially organized and served political purposes and cannot be regarded as science. Finally, sporadic achievements in metallurgy and ceramics cannot represent the scientific tradition.
From the beginning, we have defined science as a mathematical experimental science represented by Newton, that is, modern science in the West.Therefore, the issue of science in ancient China does not exist.It doesn’t make sense to entangle this problem. It is important to discuss why in ancient China did not produce science.From this led to the next question, why did not produce modern science from Chinese traditional culture.
2. Chinese traditional cultureIs it not conducive to the occurrence and development of science?
There are many reasons why China has produced science in modern times. I suggest to focus on what role does Chinese traditional culture play in it.This problem is quite complicated. There have been many studies in this regard for many years, but the opinions have been different.
Most opinion is that traditional Chinese culture is not good for the emergence of science:
First of all, no independent nature in the world view of China and human beings will not take the initiative to ask and explore nature.
Secondly, the traditional way of thinking is not conducive to producing accurate and strict logic methodology.Chinese traditional thinking is summary, which is unfavorable for modern science, but it is beneficial to the production of other wisdom, such as traditional Chinese medicine.
Third, the non -hereditary civilian system and the imperial examination system are not conducive to attracting talents to engage in science.
Fourth, the strict level system of identity identity is not conducive to generating a free and equal academic atmosphere.Not only is the administrative level, between different levels of society, the rigid level system between teachers and students and even in the clan, and the rigidity system of the young and younger in the clan seriously affects the freedom of academic freedom.
But does traditional Chinese culture have only adverse effects on the development of science?it’s not true.Especially in the current situation, there are also some favorable impacts:
First, the traditional Chinese “organic view”, rather than “mechanical materialism”, may be beneficial to the future scientific development.
Second, under the trend of increasingly close and fusion of science and technology, strong government functions and collectivism are beneficial to the development of “big science”.
Third, the most important point is the feelings of Chinese intellectuals. This is the most significant characteristic of scientists in other countries. It plays a very significant role in the historical process of scientific and technological development in my country.
Since the last century, Chinese scientists can be roughly divided into four generations.
The first generation of scientists was born around 1890-1910. Representatives include Ding Wenjiang, Zhu Kezhen, Ye Qisun, Su Buqing and so on.At that time, China had not established a complete university education. These pioneers went to study in Europe and the United States. After finishing college, they returned to China to establish universities and scientific research institutions early, becoming the founder of modern Chinese science.
The second-generation scientist was born around 1910-1930, represented by Hua Luogeng, Qian Xuesen, Lu Jiaxi, Ye Dazheng, etc.At that time, there were already conditions for receiving university education in China, coupled with war and civil strife, they stayed overseas for a long time. Not only did they receive undergraduate education in university, but also more systematic scientific research training.EssenceAfter this generation of scientists returned to China, under the leadership of the first generation of scientists, it laid the foundation for modern Chinese science.
The third -generation scientist was born in the 1930s and 1940s.In their youth, they ushered in the establishment of New China, and they led Chinese science to catch up with the world.
The fourth -generation scientist was born in the 1950s and 1960s, represented by Pan Jianwei and Shi Yigong.Their scientific research level at the stage of studying abroad has reached the advanced level of developed countries today. After returning to China, they are committed to building a world science and technology power.
Although the tasks and characteristics of each generation of scientists are different, they all show the special spiritual connotation of Chinese scientists.The state and individuals are closely integrated together and naturally integrated in the spirit of scientists and flowing in the blood. This characteristic is not available in other countries.It is precisely such a family feelings that show the wind and realm of Chinese scientists in various historical periods.
3. What level and status of China Science and Technology in the world?
For a long time, people have been used to “chasing” the West by Chinese technology, but with the rapid development of Chinese technology, what level and status of Chinese technology in the world have become a question worth discussing.
For the evaluation of Chinese technology, there are often two different voices, one is “the country that is powerful”, and the other is the “stuck neck” in all directions.I think these two extremes are not desirable.
In the early days of reform and opening up, we adopted our use ofism to actively open the introduction of technology, while encouraging a large number of scientific and technological personnel to study abroad.With the rapid growth of the economy and society, the investment in science and technology has increased, and the ability of technology autonomy and overall strength has increased rapidly. Generally, it is transitioning from the running situation with the running situation and running and a small number of fields.
Of course, the development of various science and technology fields is unbalanced. Even in the so -called “stuck neck” link, some must work hard to overcome difficulties.In short, specific analysis must be analyzed.
Second, the issue of “post -hair advantage”.The technology has a post -development advantage. The technology created by others. If we do not, this belongs to “known unknown”. As long as we work hard, you can catch up or even surpass;But science basically does not have the advantage of post -issuance.Scientifically behind others can only pursue the foundation, find constraints, and catch up honestly.
Third, there is a lack of basis for the “how many years of backward developed countries” in a certain field.If it is based on the current level of China that is equivalent to how many years ago in developed countries, then because of the goal, it does not take so many years to catch up; if it is estimated that it takes how many years to catch up, then there are too many factors that have too many influencing factors.Complex, this kind of patting head is estimated to be unreliable.Of course, if you only use this to inspire us to strive to catch up with the forefront of the world.
Fourth, the evaluation of “soft power” should indeed be studied.Culture, system, legal system, and environment, these “soft” aspects are where we are relatively backward, and it is very worthy of research and discussion.
A series of issues caused by “what level and status of China Science and Technology in the world”, no matter what controversy we have, there is a general consensus, that is, it is urgent to carry out strategic research, collect the actual situation of the partyQuantitative analysis, accordingly, formulate corresponding plans and implement specific measures.
4. Where is the most critical link that is currently promoting the development of scientific science?
Is it increased in funding?In 2018, China ’s scientific and technological funds invested about 1 trillion yuan, ranking second in the world.Our current investment in technology has grown rapidly, but efficiency is a problem that is more urgent to solve.Investment needs to increase, especially the funding for basic research, but if the efficiency is not improved, it will cause greater waste, and it will also promote the incorrect academic atmosphere.
Is there a problem with the policy?The country has continuously introduced policies and has continued to launch relevant systems, which has promoted the development of science and technology, but the implementation of the documents needs to be improved.
I think it is more important than the previous two issues. It is to promote the construction of science and culture.From the perspective of historical and cultural reasons, the cultivation of soil in modern science in my country is not fertile.If it is not promoted to the construction of science and culture, promotes the spirit of science, and improves national scientific literacy, it is difficult to have more original innovation and breakthroughs in science and technology.
At present, many people recognize the importance of this problem, but where are the solutions?It is difficult to solve this problem, but it is not necessarily unmatched.As long as you do it, even if you can’t completely solve it, it is better than doing it.This is also the original intention of my wholeheartedly in the construction of Chinese science and culture after I stepped down. I hope that the soil of Chinese science and culture can gradually become fertile.
articleReprinted from the “School School”
