古希腊《力学问题》导读及其启示

AN INTRODUCTION TO ANCIENT GREEK MECHANICAL PROBLEMS AND ITS ENLIGHTENMENT

  • 摘要: 《亚里士多德文集》中的《力学问题》(Mechanical problems)是已知最早的力学著作,它由1篇导言和35个问题组成。其中,导言对力学的意义和作用进行了说明,指出力学的目的在于实现“人的方便”,描绘了力学的社会价值;然后以圆为第一原理,以杠杆为基本模型,讨论了包含滑轮、轮、楔子、舵、钳子、桅杆、桨等众多机械在内的35个问题,基本逻辑为识别出问题中的杠杆,以杠杆的圆运动说明各类机械的工作原理。由于《力学问题》中不区分自然运动和强迫运动,多数学者认为亚里士多德并不是《力学问题》的作者。本文将首先对《力学问题》进行简要介绍,并对其作者进行辨析,最后,在此基础上尝试挖掘《力学问题》所体现的力学传统,理解早期力学的基本特征,并由此探讨对当代力学教学的若干启示。

     

    Abstract: Mechanical Problems in the Corpus of Aristotle is the earliest known work on mechanics. It consists of one introduction and 35 problems. The introduction explains the significance and role of mechanics. The birth of mechanics is to satisfy people's convenience. Then, taking the circle as the first principle and the lever as the basic model, 35 problems including many machines such as pulleys, wheels, wedges, rudders, pliers, masts, and oars are discussed. The basic logic is to identify the lever in these problems and use the circular motion of the lever to explain the working principles of various machines. Since the Mechanical Problems does not distinguish between violent motion and natural motion, it casts doubt on the true authorship of the Mechanical Problems by Aristotle. In this paper, a brief introduction of Mechanical Problems will be given, and its true author is identified. And then, it will try to explore the mechanical tradition embodied in Mechanical Problems. The social significance of mechanics will be discussed, the basic characteristics of early mechanics will be summarized.

     

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