0913翻譯：應有格物致知精神（丁肇中）

04-09

Translation: Proper Mindset in Learning Through Investigation (Samuel Chao Chung Ting)

(translated by: alexcwlin; edited by: Adam Lam)

多年來，我在學校里接觸到不少中國學生，

In all these years, I have come into contact with many Chinese students in school.

因此，我想借這個機會向大家談談學習自然科學的中國學生應該怎樣了解自然科學。

Therefore I would like to take this opportunity to discuss with all of you what Chinese students studying Natural Science should do to comprehend Natural Science.

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在中國傳統教育里，最重要的書是「四書」。

In Chinese traditional education, the most important book is 「The Four Books」.

「四書」之一的《大學》里這樣說：一個人教育的出發點是「格物」和「致知」。

The 「Great Learning」, which is one of 「The Four Books」, says: 「The starting point of a person』s education is 『investigating matters』 and 『reaching knowledge』.

就是說，從探察物體而得到知識。

That is to say, we acquire knowledge through probing into matters.

用這個名詞描寫現代學術發展是再適當也沒有了。

Using this expression to describe development of modern-day learning is the most appropriate.

現代學術的基礎就是實地的探察，就是我們現在所謂的實驗。

The foundation of contemporary education is on-the-spot investigation, which is what we call 「experiment」 nowadays.

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但是傳統的中國教育並不重視真正的格物和致知。

But traditional Chinese education does not think highly of 「investigating matters」 in 「reaching knowledge」.

這可能是因為傳統教育的目的並不是尋求新知識，而是適應一個固定的社會制度。

Possibly it is because the aim of conventional learning is not to search for new knowledge but to adapt to a set social system.

《大學》本身就說，格物致知的目的，是使人能達到誠意、正心、修身、齊家、治國的田地，

The 「Great Learning」 says: 「The intention of acquiring knowledge through probing into matters is just so that a person can achieve a serious mentality, a righteous mind, a refined self, a harmonized family and a well-governed state.

從而追求儒家的最高理想——平天下。

Then he can pursue the highest ideal of Confucianism—countrywide peacefulness.

因為這樣，格物致知的真正意義便被埋沒了。

It is this line of thinking that the true value of 「learning through investigation」 has been obscured.

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大家都知道明朝的大理論家王陽明，

We all know about Ming Dynasty』s great theorist Wang Yangming.

他的思想可以代表傳統儒家對實驗的態度。

His thinking could represent the attitude of a traditional Confucian towards experimentation.

有一天王陽明依照《大學》的指示，

One day Wang followed the guidance in the 「Great Learning」.

先從「格物」做起。他決定要「格」院子里的竹子。

He started working from the 「investigating matter」 step and decided to 「investigate」 bamboos in the garden.

於是他搬了一條凳子坐在院子里，面對著竹子硬想了七天，

He moved a stool so that he could sit in the garden, faced the bamboos and racked his brain for seven days in thinking hard.

結果因為頭痛而宣告失敗。

Finally he gave up for incurring a headache.

這位先生明明是把探察外界誤認為探討自己。

Obviously this gentleman confused probing the outside world with probing his inner self.

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王陽明的觀點，在當時的社會環境里是可以理解的。

Wang』s perspective was understandable under circumstances of society at that time.

因為儒家傳統的看法認為天下有不變的真理，

It was because conventional thinking in Confucianism maintained there were eternal unchanged truths in this world.

而真理是「聖人」從內心領悟的。聖人知道真理以後，就傳給一般人。

And such truths were comprehended by sages in their minds and then passed on to ordinary people.

所以經書上的道理是可「推之於四海，傳之於萬世」的。

As such, the truths in Confucian classic books could be 「spread all over the world and passed on to tens of thousands of following generations」.

這種觀點，經驗告訴我們，是不能適用於現在的世界的。

Experience tells us this type of viewpoints is not suitable for today』s (1) world.

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我是研究科學的人，

I am a person who engages in the studies of science.

所以先讓我談談實驗精神在科學上的重要性。

As such, let me first talk about the importance of being experimentation-minded in science.

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科學進展的歷史告訴我們，新的知識只能通過實地實驗而得到，不是由自我檢討或哲理的清談就可求到的。

The history of scientific development has told us that new knowledge could only be acquired through practical experiments and not self-examination or philosophical empty talks.

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實驗的過程不是消極的觀察，而是積極的、有計劃的探測。

The process of experimentation is not passive observation, but active and planned probing.

比如，我們要知道竹子的性質，就要特別栽種竹子，以研究它生長的過程，

For example, if we need to know the nature of bamboo, then we have to specifically plant bamboo and study its growth process.

要把葉子切下來拿到顯微鏡下去觀察，

At the same time, we have to cut down its leaves and look at them under microscope.

絕不是袖手旁觀就可以得到知識的。

Definitely knowledge could not be obtained through watching as a non-participating bystander.

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實驗的過程不是毫無選擇的測量，

The process of experimentation is not taking non-selective measurements.

它需要有小心具體的計劃。

It requires a careful and concrete plan.

特別重要的，是要有一個適當的目標，以作為整個探索過程的嚮導。

More importantly, it requires an appropriate objective as guide for the entire probing process.

至於這目標怎樣選定，就要靠實驗者的判斷力和靈感。一

Regarding how this objective is selected, it has to rely on the experimenter』s judgment and inspiration.

個成功的實驗需要的是眼光、勇氣和毅力。

What a successful experiment requires are perception, courage and determination.

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由此我們可以了解，為什麼基本知識上的突破是不常有的事情。

From all these, we can appreciate why breakthroughs in fundamental knowledge are few and far in between.

我們也可以了解，為什麼歷史上學術的進展只靠很少數的人關鍵性的發現。

We can also understand why historically the development of learning has been relying on key discoveries of very few people.

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在今天，王陽明的思想還在繼續地支配著一些中國讀書人的頭腦。

Even today, the thinking of Wang Yangming continues to dictate the minds of some Chinese scholars.

因為這個文化背景，中國學生大都偏向於理論而輕視實驗，

Due to this cultural background, most Chinese students lean towards theories and dis experimentation.

偏向於抽象的思維而不願動手。

Concurrently they also incline towards abstract thinking and are unwilling to get their hands dirty in doing work.

中國學生往往念功課成績很好，考試都得近一百分，

Often Chinese students do fantastically well in rote-learning academically and score close to 100% in exams.

但是面臨著需要主意的研究工作時，就常常不知所措了。

But once they are confronted with research work that requires ideas, then often they are at a loss on what to do.

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在這方面，我有個人的經驗為證。

In this respect, I have a personal experience as proof.

我是受傳統教育長大的。

I grew up under the traditional education system.

到美國大學念物理的時候，起先以為只要很「用功」，什麼都遵照老師的指導，

When I went to USA to study physics, initially I thought all I had to do was to 「work hard」 and follow teachers』 direction at all times.

就可以一帆風順了，

Then it would be smooth sailing all the way.

但是事實並不是這樣。

But reality was not like that.

一開始做研究便馬上發現不能光靠教師，

When I started doing research, I immediately found out I could not rely on my teachers alone.

需要自己作主張、出主意。

I had to come up with my own proposals and ideas.

當時因為事先沒有準備，不知吃了多少苦。

Since I was not prepared in advance at the time, I made countless blunders.

最使我彷徨恐慌的，是當時的惟一辦法——以埋頭讀書應付一切，對於實際的需要毫無幫助。

What caused me to panic then was the only method i knew, i.e., studying hard to handle all problems, was completely useless to meet practical needs.

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我覺得真正的格物致知精神，不但在研究學術中不可缺少，而且在應付今天的世界環境中也是不可少的。

I feel the real spirit of learning through investigation is indispensable not only with research in learning but in handling today』s world environment as well.

在今天一般的教育里，我們需要培養實驗的精神。

In ordinary education nowadays, we need to foster the spirit of experimentation.

就是說，不管研究自然科學，研究人文科學，或者在個人行動上，我們都要保留一個懷疑求真的態度，

That is to say regardless whether it is the studies of natural science, the research into humanities, or the actions of individuals, we need to maintain a doubt-raising attitude in our pursuit for truth.

要靠實踐來發現事物的真相。

We need to rely on practice to discover the truth on matters.

現在世界和社會的環境變化得很快。世界上不同文化的交流也越來越密切。

Presently world』s and society』s environments change very fast and exchanges between different cultures in the globe are getting closely connected.

我們不能盲目地接受過去認為的真理，也不能等待「學術權威」的指示。

We can no longer accept blindly what was regarded as eternal truths in the past or wait for directions from 「academic authorities」.

我們要自己有判斷力。

We must have our own discretion.

在環境激變的今天，我們應該重新體會到幾千年前經書里說的格物致知真正的意義。

Nowadays where environments are experiencing drastic changes, we need to reassess once again the true meaning of learning through investigation stated in Confucian classic books several thousand years ago.

這意義有兩個方面：

There are two aspects of the meaning.

第一，尋求真理的惟一途徑是對事物客觀的探索；

Firstly the only way to find the truth would be to probe into matters objectively.

第二，探索的過程不是消極的袖手旁觀，

Secondly, a probing process is not to observe on the sideline passively without doing anything.

而是有想像力的有計劃的探索。

Instead, it is a planned investigation with imagination.

希望我們這一代對於格物和致知有新的認識和思考，使得實驗精神真正地變成中國文化的一部分。

Hopefully our generation would have a new realization and thinking on learning through investigation so that the spirit of experimentation could actually become a part of Chinese culture.

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附註：

(1) Today』s World

Normally possessive forms apply to animated objects (Correct: dog』s breakfast, a man』s hobby) and not inanimate objects (Incorrect: table』s legs, car』s brakes). (Note: Some people maintain the 「s「 form does not indicate possession but a relation of two objects, therefore there is nothing wrong in saying 「table』s legs」. This position, however, does not appear to be mainstream and therefore you should apply it with caution).

However, possessive forms are permitted with time and measurement (Correct: ten minutes』 rest, a mile』s walk, a pound』s worth of pork).