中文摘要：

对于东西方文明差异的根源问题，很多人都已经关注到，韦伯和李约瑟为此作了较为系统和深入的研究，但都存在一定的偏颇与误区。通过细致的梳理和深入的研究发现，两种文明差异的根源，在于古代哲学传统的思维路向不同，即东方哲学主要是沿着将事物抽象为具有统括意义的概念的路向发展，而西方哲学则主要是沿着将事物“提炼”为具有生发作用的“微粒”的路向发展，它们刚好是两个路向的极端。尽管两种文明都不可缺失，但在不同阶段所起的作用是不同的。

英文摘要：

The root of culture differences between East and West attracts growing attention from many theorists .Max Weber and Joseph Needham have made a relatively systematical and deep argument about this problem .But there are some biases and mis-understandings in their views .Our study shows the root exists in the differences of the traditional thinking paths of two ancient phi -losophies .The philosophic path of the East is to abstract the general concepts from phenomenon , and the West is to decompose things into the fundamental and productive elements .It also means that the former concerns the infinitely spiritual development and the latter concerns the unlimitedly material development .They are just two extreme of the paths .The two civilizations are indispen-sable to the world , yet the roles of two civilizations are obviously different in the different phases .