The Relationship between Chinese Tradition and Science from the Perspective of the History of Being

Abstract

In his thinking on the history of Being, Martin Heidegger proposed the concepts of the first commencement and the other commencement, which correspond to the first history of Being and the other history of Being, as well as the first science and the other science. The first science refers to modern science that emerged from Western metaphysics at the completion of the first history of Being. The other science is one that flourishes in the other history of Being, and is distinct from modern science, but can encompass modern science. The history of Being reflected in Chinese tradition is different from the first history of Being, and therefore, it is impossible for modern science to emerge. However, the commencement of Chinese tradition is quite similar to the other commencement; the history of Being it initiated is also quite similar to the other history of Being, and consequently, the other science could thrive within the Chinese tradition. Ancient Chinese science is a primitive form of the other science. The transition from the first history of Being to the other history of Being has begun, and China can provide a more suitable environment for the other science.

Keywords

the history of Being / commencement / Chinese tradition / the first science / the other science / the Needham Question

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Higher Education Press