工程研究——跨学科视野中的工程2023，Vol.15Issue(6)：547-559,13.DOI:10.3724/j.issn.1674-4969.23010612
《考工记》中的实验探索与因果推理:一种对工程哲学的中国源流考
Experimental Exploration and Causal Reasoning in Kao Gong Ji:A Study of the Origin and Development of Engineering Philosophy in China
摘要
Abstract
In order to explore the existence of experimental exploration and causal reasoning methods in ancient Chinese engineering,and to re-conceptualize the engineering thinking and engineering methodology of ancient Chinese craftsmen,this study examines the methods of testing and inspection of Baigong in the Zhou Dynasty from Kao Gong Ji,the first text on engineering and technology in China.This study adopts the content analysis method,in which,first of all,textual content related to experimental exploration and causal reasoning in Kao Gong Ji is identified and the analysis units are selected;secondly,classification to delineate the categories of experimental methods and causal-reasoning thinking is given;thirdly,a quantitative process is carried out by coding the text according to the above categories;fourthly,statistics and analyses of the coding results are carried out;finally,the result explanations and the study conclusions are presented. This study finally identifies and extracts 86 cases of analysis units.And the statistical analysis shows that at least three types of experimental methods exist in the text of Kao Gong Ji.First,the experimental method based on measuring tools,that is,through conventional metrological tools or calculating indirect metrics to obtain physical parameters to test the quality of engineering products.This method reflects the standardization thoughts of Baigong,and can be regarded as the simplest experimental test.Second,the experimental method based on the key modules,that is,through the design of the targeted experiments to determine the impact of the key modules on the overall functionality or performance of the engineering products.This method is often used by Baigong to test the quality of a key module or to determine the parameter regulation of a key module.Third,the experimental method based on operation conditions,that is,to determine the quality of engineering products by observing the actual operation performance of engineering products.This method is often used by Baigong to complete the inspection of complex engineering products.In addition,it is found that some of the texts in Kao Gong Ji show the recording style of phenomena relation contrast(i.e.,the formulation of phenomena relation contrast).This kind of expression reflects the similarity to the expression of modern controlled experiments,and there are at least 24 cases of this kind of expression in Kao Gong Ji,which means that Baigong of the Zhou Dynasty were already able to organize and present their accumulated experiences and observations in an orderly manner in order to show the laws of cause and effect. The text of the above discussion on product quality issues presents Baigong's thinking on grasping a variety of causal connections in engineering.This study summarizes these causal relationships into five categories,which include three types of simple causal expressions,such as the causal relationship between product performance and physical parameters,the causal relationship between product demand and design,and the causal relationship between product quality check methods and operation modes,and which also includes two types of causal chain expressions,such as the causal relationship between product performance's causal and product design program,and the causal relationship between product performance's causal and process method.Among them,the chain causal expression form reflects the thinking characteristics of Baigong's conscious and purposeful causal reasoning and deduction. Albert Einstein believed that the scientific methodology of finding cause and effect through systematic experimentation was the basis for the development of modern Western science;and that this way of thinking did not exist in ancient China.This view has had a wide impact around the world.This study analyzes the texts of Kao Gong Ji and finds that there were experimental methods and logical thinking of causal reasoning in Kao Gong Ji which is the first book on engineering and technology in China,also worldwide.And the relevant textual cases that show the expression"finding out causal relationships through experiments"are similar to modern controlled experiments.This study questions Einstein's viewpoint,and this challenge sheds new light on how to analyze and answer"Joseph Needham's problem".At the same time,this study has certain research significance and reference value for the rethinking of today's engineering epistemology and engineering ontology,as well as the reflection of ancient engineering philosophy in China.关键词
考工记/实验/探索/因果推理/工程Key words
Kao Gong Ji/experiment/exploration/cause-and-effect reasoning/engineering分类
自科综合引用本文复制引用
纪阳,王宇,陈瑞琪,吴振宇..《考工记》中的实验探索与因果推理:一种对工程哲学的中国源流考[J].工程研究——跨学科视野中的工程,2023,15(6):547-559,13.基金项目
中国工程院战略研究与咨询项目(2023-XY-52) （2023-XY-52）
北京邮电大学研究生前沿课程(2021QY004) （2021QY004）
北京邮电大学研究生教育教学改革与研究项目(2021Y046) （2021Y046）
