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最近的宇宙论方面的发展涉及一种无限数量宇宙的理论(即多重宇宙理论),思考“前大爆炸”状态的问题,以及追问涉及时间“开端”的可理解性。这些发展被用来否认宇宙终极本源的可理解性。作为犹太教、基督教与伊斯兰教之核心教义,“从无创有”的传统创造论教义似乎在这些新兴科学理论的光芒下变得黯然失色。托马斯·阿奎那(1224—1274)的理论能帮助我们排除由当前宇宙论所引起的哲学与神学上的混乱说明。尤其是他对于创造概念在哲学与神学上的区分,至今仍不失其高瞻远瞩。其中,哲学方式的理解在形而上学的学科之内进行,而神学方式的理解则依赖虔诚信仰。对托马斯·阿奎那而言,宇宙论并不能解答那些最根本的形上问题,譬如宇宙的存在是否需要一个原因。在他看来,即便宇宙没有一个开端或我们这个宇宙只是无限数量宇宙中的一个,无论怎样作为其存在的特定事实,它仍旧需要一个持续的原因。他支持这一论点的论辩方式是纯哲学的,亦即是完全建立在理性之上的。对他来说,援引宇宙论来否定或支持创造概念都是一个错误。
Recent developments in cosmology involve an theory of an infinite number of universes (ie, the theory of multiple universes), questions about the state of the “pre-Big Bang”, and questions about the intelligibility of time “beginnings.” These developments have been used to deny the intelligibility of the ultimate source of the universe. As the core doctrine of Judaism, Christianity and Islam, the doctrine of “creation from the non-creation” tradition seems to have eclipsed by the light of these emerging scientific theories. The theory of Thomas Aquinas (1224-1274) can help us to exclude the philosophical and theological confusion caused by the current cosmology. In particular, his philosophy and theological distinction in creating concepts are still far-sighted. Among them, the philosophical understanding of metaphysics within the discipline carried out, while the theological understanding depends on religious beliefs. For Thomas Aquinas, cosmology does not answer the most fundamental metaphysical questions, such as whether the universe needs a reason for its existence. In his view, even though the universe does not have a beginning or our universe is only one of an infinite number of universes, it still needs a continuing cause, no matter what the particular fact of its existence. The way in which he argues for this argument is purely philosophical, that is, it is entirely based on reason. To him, it is a mistake to invoke cosmology to deny or support the creation of concepts.