港大中文學院

School of Chinese Scholar Seminar

中西文化比較之下的科學進展 —— 個人的視角和思考
Scientific Progress in Comparative Context of Chinese and Western Cultures — Personal Perspective and Reflections

分享嘉賓 Speaker:

Prof. MENG Ziyang 孟子楊 教授

(Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, HKU)

主持人 Moderator:

Prof. WANG Pei 汪沛 教授

(School of Chinese, HKU)

日期時間 Date & Time: March 6, 2026 (Tue) 16:00-18:00pm (HKT)

語言 Language: Putonghua 普通話

地點 Venue: CRT-7.30, 7/F, Run Run Shaw Tower, Centennial Campus, HKU

講座模式 Delivery Mode: Face-to-face ONLY (不設網上直播)

報名 Registration:

https://hku.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8i7VL9cfdUxD3Jc

摘要 Abstract:

本次講座嘗試用寫意的表達方式，闡述講者在科學研究的工作中切身感受到的中西文化差別和交融。從春秋戰國和古希臘的時代，到宋元明清和文藝復興宗教改革的時期，再到工業革命、美好年代和古老中國在近代所經歷的陣痛期，本次講座將討論為何伽利略、牛頓、愛因斯坦、量子物理學諸先賢以及來自布達佩斯的火星人們，他們所做出的至關重要的數學和物理發現為何沒有在中國產生，以及這種現象背後的文化和歷史深層原因。儘管當下我們所處的時代科技發展看似迅猛，但講者認為科學上持久的創造力需要有相應的文化和歷史環境來支撐，我們應該思考如何培育如是的環境。

Employing an impressionistic narrative, this lecture explores the cultural differences and convergences the speaker has experienced firsthand in his own scientific research. This lecture traces history from the Spring and Autumn Period and Ancient Greece, through the Renaissance and Reformation, to the Industrial Revolution, the Belle Époque, and the growing pains of the modernization of ancient China. The discussion addresses why the revolutionary breakthroughs of Galileo, Newton, Einstein, and the 'Martians of Budapest' did not originate in China, analyzing the deep-seated cultural and historical roots of this disparity. The speaker argues that sustained scientific creativity requires a specific cultural ecosystem, and we must consider how to cultivate such an environment today.

講者簡介 About the Speaker:

孟子楊    香港大學物理系教授。研究量子多體系統中的模型設計和計算方法發展，以及通過如是計算解釋量子多體材料中湧現的新現象。在科研工作的間隙，撰寫了一些介紹量子物質科學研究的專欄文章，希望用更加平實易懂的語言表達出科學研究和文學藝術等創造性活動的共同點。

Ziyang Meng is a Professor in the Department of Physics at The University of Hong Kong. His research focuses on model design and the development of computational methods for quantum many-body systems, utilizing these simulations to explain emergent phenomena in quantum materials.

**Lecture attendees will have the opportunity to receive a free copy of the speaker's new book. 講座參加者將有機會免費獲得一本講者的新書**

《量子多體中的吶喊與彷徨》（人民郵電出版社，2026年1月出版）

Book description 書籍詳情: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/R6HJguossNPJPqOR7_SAuA

Notice:
1) The seminar will be conducted primarily in a face-to-face mode; Those who cannot attend the seminar in-person could apply for online participation (via Zoom);
2) All those who would like to attend the seminar are required to register online (Click HERE) on a first-come, first-served basis;
3) Email of confirmation will be sent to the registered email addresses and participants have to show the screenshot or print-out version of the email for entry of the seminar venue;
4) Walk-in or late-comers will not be allowed for entry of the seminar venue unless situation allows.
 

ALL are welcome*
*Pre-registration (Click HERE) is required.