Types of rationality and the genesis of science: comparative analysis of two worldview systems

Abstract

This article examines an aspect of “Needham’s Question” related to the specificity of scientific rationality formed within the framework of new-European worldview. The research is dedicated to the comparative analysis of New-European and Chinese types of rationality. Based on studying the specificity of the dominant cultural paradigms, the author highlights and describes the features of Chinese and European worldview systems. Characteristic is given to Chinese and New-European rationality with emphasis on their essential differences, although they have some external similarities. The goal of this work consists in revelation of characteristic qualities of the European and Chinese worldview systems that predetermined the essential peculiarities of the types of rationality established in terms of these civilizations and influences the process of scientific development. The scientific novelty consists in examination of worldview components of New-European and Chinese as the particular manifestations of different types of rationality. The conclusion is made that structural elements of the two worldviews led to formation of various types of rationality. Among the fundamental differences are the discrepancies in understanding the concept of the “law of nature”, representations on uniformity of laws of the world, ontological status of a human being, purposes of cognition of the world and character of cognitive activity. The author underlines the practical nature of European rationality and mainly ethical nature of Chinese rationality. In order to explain the genesis of science, along with identification of the rationalizing component of worldview, it is necessary to clarify the nature of that rationality.