《天学初函》的编者李之藻和当时的西学引进者由起初的对西方数学知识感兴趣,进而探讨西方数学超胜中国的原因。他们发现中国古代的数学研究缺乏“缘数寻理”的精神。为了解决这一问题,他们开始译介西方的逻辑学著作,此时他们的着眼点已不仅限于数学一科,他们试图借助西方的逻辑学来弥补中国传统思维模式中的缺陷。由于这仅仅是个人的治学兴味,在急功近利的政府行为面前,它的被世人漠视的历史命运是不可避免的。 Li Zhizao, the editor of “Beginning Letter of Astronomy” and the Western introducer at the time, was initially interested in western mathematical knowledge and then discussed the reason why Western mathematics overtook China. They found that the ancient Chinese mathematics lacked the spirit of “seeking truth from facts”. In order to solve this problem, they began to translate the western logic works. At this time, their focus was not limited to mathematics and science. They tried to make use of Western logic to make up for the shortcomings in the traditional Chinese thinking mode. Because this is only an individual’s interest in learning and studying, its historical destiny ignored by the world is unavoidable in the face of quick government.