1、1,2,老子技术思想研究刘克明,3,A Study of the Technical Idea and Theories in Lao Zi,LIU Keming 刘克明(Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China E-mail:),4,5,6,7,8,9,10,Abstract,The present thesis introduces and comments on the records in Lao Zi on ancient mechanism, probing into the technical idea
2、s of Lao Zi. The ideas in Lao Zi, such as the principle of the administration must conform to the integrity of the law, existence goes together with nonexistence, to achieve anything difficult must start from easy one, anything great from small one, are not only practical but also enlightening for c
3、reating new things and mental states of todays high-technology researchers.,11,12,13,14,1. Introduction,Lao Zi contributes greatly to the development of theoretical thinking in China. Besides, it also makes insightful observation of ancient science and technology, including mechanical manufacturing.
4、 Among the 81 chapters of Lao Zi (altogether 5,000 words), many chapters are specifically devoted to mechanics, engineering, techniques, and manufacturing. Some of these chapters discuss the philosophical issues in mechanical technology, while some elaborate on the Way of Humanbeing through discussi
5、ng the Way of Heaven and probe into the Society by talking about the Nature. In some sense, Lao Zi is the earliest masterpiece in China which discusses scientific and technical issues and is also the earliest literature available that touches upon the theories and methods of mechanical design.,15,2.
6、 A brief review of the engineering and technical ideas in Lao Zi,One example of the discussion on mechanics in Lao Zi can be seen in the 5th Chapter, which says, “Isnt that between Heaven and Earth like a bellow? While vacuous, it is not inexhaustible. The more it is drawn off, the more air it sends
7、 forth. Much talk is doomed a dead end. It is better to keep to moderation.” Bellow is an important tool used in casting.,16,Another instance relating to mechanics could be found in the 11th Chapter of Lao Zi, “Thirty spokes are united in one nave to make a wheel, but it is on the hole of the nave t
8、hat the use of the carriage depends. Clay is mixed to mold a utensil, but it is on its empty space that the use of the utensil depends. Doors and windows are cut out to form a room, but it is on the vacancy within that the use of the room depends. Therefore, the benefits that existence (You,有) bring
9、s to people rests exclusively upon the decisive role of nonexistence (Wu，无).”,17,Discussion on mechanics is also available in the 27th Chapter of Lao Zi. It is said that, “One who is skilled at travelling leaves no traces of his wheel or footsteps.”A fourth example relating to mechanics is in the 77
10、th Chapter of Lao Zi. “Does not the Way (Dao) of Heaven resemble drawing a bow and aiming at the target? When it is high, it will be brought down. When it is low, it will be raised up. When it is overfull, it will be diminished. And when it is not full, it will be supplemented.”,18,The 80th Chapter
11、of Lao Zi provides a fifth example of the discussion of mechanics. “Let the state be small, and let the population be sparse. Though there are various kinds of instruments, let them not be used. Let the people not risk their lives, not move to distant places. Though there are boats and carriages, th
12、ere is no occasion to ride in them. Though there are weapons and military equipment, there is no occasion to display them. Let the people return to the use of knotted cords in recording events, delight in their food, dress in beauty, dwell in comfort, and enjoy their life.”,19,3. Technical ideas and
13、 theories in Lao Zi,Lao Zi covers various aspects of ancient mechanics. Though it does not touch upon specific mechanical design, Lao Zi makes insightful observation of mechanical and engineering technology and provides philosophical and intelligent views on ancient science and technology. These ide
14、as can still be applied to mechanical design today and even in the future.,20,3.1 “Perfect making does not arise out of artificiality”,In the 28th Chapter of Lao Zi, it is written that, “When the simplicity is broken up, it is turned into concrete vessels. By using the breaking up of simplicity, the
15、 sage sets up government and leadership. Therefore the perfect making does not arise out of artificiality.”,21,Lie Zi (in the 8th Chapter of The Book of Master Lie Zi列子说符第八) tells a story of a craftsman who engraved a leaf out of a piece of jade after three years hard work. The jade leaf looked just
16、 like a true leaf in any aspect, such t as the thickness and size of its veins and blade, and the amount and color of the thorns on it. Mixing it with true leaves, nobody can distinguish it from true leaves. The craftsman then made his living in the country Song by this unique skill. When Lie Zi hea
17、rd the story, he said, “If it takes three years to form a leaf in Nature, few things in Nature would have leaves. Therefore, the sage treasures natural growth instead of intelligence and skill.”,22,The idea of “perfect making does not arise out of artificiality” is enlightening for mechanical design
18、. First, Lao Zis idea of “when the simplicity is broken up, it is turned into concrete vessels” indicates that in creating and making any tools, people should comply with its nature and obey the rules of Nature. Besides, in creating new thing out of the original ones, the successful cases should be
19、taken as examples, while lessons should be drawn from failures. Only in this way can people attain the goal of “perfect making”. Second, through Da Zhi (大制), people can process the ideas or things which already exist by changing their meaning, function, principles, structure, or material. In this wa
20、y people can obtain new ideas or products which are more creative, original, and practical than the previous ones. Actually, “perfect making does not arise out of artificiality” teaches people to view the situation as a whole and to use combinatorial theories in mechanical design. In this sense, it
21、is the fundamental technique for inventors to create new things.,23,3.2 “Having advanced science and technology but with no occasion to use them”,The 80th Chapter presents an overall picture of Lao Zis ideas. More importantly, it reflects his view on the development and tendency of science and techn
22、ology. Lao Zi gives solution to the problem whether human will can control science and technology. Developing science and technology and controlling then have always been a tough issue faced by humanbeing, and are also the desire of humanbeing. Lao Zi holds the view of “let the state be small, and l
23、et the population be sparse”.,24,Undoubtedly, Lao Zi holds an optimistic view on the development of science and technology, as well as on the relationship between human and science & technology. His 5,000-words masterpiece is indeed aimed at solving the problem of how human civilization can comply w
24、ith Nature and how moral principles can be combined with science and technology at optimum. Lao Zi is well aware that reality is not always in accordance with the ideal. In order to realize the ideal, people should settle the contradiction between reality and the ideal and then try to make the reali
25、ty progress towards the ideal.,25,Lao Zis ideal is the Nature. For him, the contradiction between reality and the ideal lies in reality violating Nature. The solution to the problem is to make the reality comply with Nature, namely, to return to simplicity. Regarding the tendency of the development
26、of science and technology, Lao Zi is in favor of having advanced technology. His ideal is to have “the tools the efficiency of which is equal to that of ten or a hundred workers working together” but not using them. However, the reality contradicts this ideal. Therefore, in his discussion of the use
27、 of military equipment (such as weapons and armor), Lao Zi advocates “only using them when we have to”.,26,Table,27,First, science and technology is the product of the development of human history. In the first stage, there is no advanced science and technology, and in the second stage there is and
28、people use them. Is it necessary to step into the third stage of having advanced science and technology but not using them? This is a serious question put forward by Lao Zi. The idea of “having advanced science and technology but not using them” provides solution to a tough problem faced by modern s
29、cientists: how can humanbeing properly control nuclear weapons? Lao Zis idea reflects the hope that humanbeing shall gain control over science and technology. It should be noted that the third stage differs sharply from the first stage in that there is advanced science and technology in the third st
30、age, while there is not in the first stage.,28,Secondly, the idea of “having advanced science and technology but not using them” provides guidelines for the research and application of science and technology. There is no limit to scientific research, but there is limit to its application. Modern ato
31、mic technology can be used in generating electricity, curing cancer, as well as making atomic bombs and hydrogen bombs. Lao Zi points out that science and technology should bring happiness and convenience to human being. Therefore, atomic energy should not be used in making nuclear weapons. Indeed,
32、when the application of science and technology endangers the safety of the people and the society, endangers the civilization and development of the world, the application should be controlled or even banned. This is a modern interpretation of Lao Zis idea. It makes clear the academic and historical
33、 responsibility which should be considered by scientists.,29,3.3 “The benefits that existence brings to people rests exclusively upon the decisive role of nonexistence.”,The 11th Chapter of Lao Zi touches upon engineering and mechanical manufacturing. Lao Zi takes the example of carriages, utensils,
34、 and rooms, elaborating on the relationship between existence and nonexistence. He points out that the universe is entirety, but not simple entirety. It is composed of countless pairs of contradictions which are both contradictory to and interdependent on each other.,30,31,32,Lao Zis theory of “exis
35、tence” and “nonexistence” contributes greatly to the theories and methods of mechanical design. In fact, no matter it is a carriage, a utensil, or a room, it is the space within that people are directly using. This is the so called “nonexistence”. However, the role of “nonexistence” is usually ignor
36、ed by men. Just as Wei Yuan (1794-1857) says, “ The benefits that existence brings to people rests exclusively upon the decisive role of nonexistence. It is not that people do not know existence and nonexistence are inseparable, but that the role of existence is known to everyone, while the role of
37、nonexistence is not recognized.”,33,“Existence” and “nonexistence” are dialectically unified and interdependent. From a philosophical point of view, people should not only pay attention to “existence” (such as concrete objects), but also pay attention to “nonexistence” (such as the space in a room a
38、nd in a utensil). “Existence” and “nonexistence” exist side by side and develop simultaneously. This theory is actually enlightening in mechanical design.,34,3.4 “Prepare for a difficult problem while it is easy; enter on a great task while it is small.”,As can be seen in the 63rd Chapter, “Consider
39、 no action as an action, having no trouble as an affair and flavorless as a flavor. No matter how hostile others are towards me, I always repay them with De. Prepare for a difficult problem while it is easy. Enter on a great task while it is small. All the difficult things under Heaven necessarily a
40、rise from the state in which they were easy. All the great tasks under Heaven arise from the state in which they are small. For this reason, the sage never does great things, and he accomplishes great things just on that account. Light promising makes one lose ones credit, and thinking brings easy l
41、eads to difficulties. So, the sage, though he is very wise, pays much attention to the difficulties. Therefore he is free from difficulties in the end.”,35,First, it is necessary to determine whether it is better to start from easy ones to difficult ones (Da Tu大图) or to start from difficult ones to
42、easy ones (Xiao Tu小图). This means the same as the common saying, “In terms of strategy, we should despise the enemy, while in terms of tactics, we should treat the enemy seriously”. That is to say, with respect to strategy, we should be confident in ourselves and regard ourselves as 10 times greater
43、 than we really are. With respect to tactics, we should be careful and prudent and treat the enemy as if they were 10 times greater than they actually are. Da Tu shows a kind of heroic spirit. On the other hand, Xiao Tu emphasizes more on practice and symbolizes the rigorous and conscientious manner
44、 in carrying out scientific research.,36,Secondly, “prepare for a difficult problem while it is easy” and “enter on a great task while it is small” suggest that from smaller parts we can get to know the whole. It is especially so in the invention and manufacturing of machines. The tiny individual is
45、 without exception connected with the general, while the general can only exist and be reflected through the individual.,37,Thirdly, “enter on a great task while it is small” indicates that the process of development for anything is from “small” to “big” and from “few” to “many”. Therefore, in accom
46、plishing a great task (for instance, huge engineering projects), it is essential to start from tiny details. Take mechanical manufacturing as an example. To make a machine, countless parameters should be calculated and countless experiments should be carried out. If there is a mistake in the process
47、, even as small as the missing of a nail, the whole project may end in failure. Therefore, the bigger the project, the more attention people should pay to details. With the rapid development of peoples understanding of Nature, it is more urgent to research into the micro world. Indeed, Lao Zis idea
48、of “enter on a great task while it is small” can be recognized the starting point of mechanical design and engineering & technical projects.,38,3.5 “In the handling of the problems of man and nature, there is nothing better than the law of parsimony .”,39,Though Lao Zi does not provide direct soluti
49、ons to scientific and technical problems, his ideas provide methodology and moral guidelines for scientific and technical research. The ability of working and creating in scientific and technical research is different from other common factors of production. It is stored in the brains of the technic
50、ians. Only after the moral standard of the technicians has been improved can they be motivated to make more contribution to scientific and technical research. Lao Zis ideas shed light on technicians and researchers and guide the practice of human, the development of science and technology, as well as the progress of the society. This is, indeed, the greatest contribution bestowed by Lao Zi.,
