“由道变俗”与“道通为一”——严复的“天演”译述及其世界观转型

From Dao to Secularization:Politics,Morality and the Worldview of Evolutiona Study on Yan Fu’s Thought in the Late Qing

从19世纪末至20世纪初,严复以其深具洞见的论述以及对一系列西方学术经典的翻译,促成“天演”世界观在近代中国的形塑。在这一世界观的影响下,清末民初的读书人逐渐接受“公理”“公例”“公法”等西方科学定律与政治法则。“天演”世界观由此呈现出“由道变俗”的世俗化价值取向。然而,严复的思想摆荡于中西之间,既接受多种“道”并存的历史现实,又高度认可中西学理的“道通为一”。因此,严复对于“天演”世界观的探索,无法简单概括为“寻求富强”的世俗努力和对于西方科学理性的全盘接纳。在“由道变俗”与“道通为一”的思想张力背后,是严复对于“超越富强”之“道”的深沉追寻。

From the Late Qing to the Early Republic of China,Yan Fu prompted the molding of the worldview of evolution(“Tianyan”)with insightful narratives and translations of a series of western academic classics.Deeply influenced by the worldview of evolution,the traditional Chinese worldview of Heavenly Principle(“Tianli”)gradually disintegrated,and Chinese society entered a global competition era dominated by“Public Principles,”“Public Examples,”and“Public Laws.”However,Yan Fu’s thoughts swung between China and the west.He accepted the coexistence of various“Dao”while pursuing the“Dao is one”between Chinese and Western cultures.Therefore,Yan Fu’s exploration did not merely follow the secular impetus and scientific principles“in search of wealth and power.”“Dao is one”indicates that Yan Fu still maintained his pursuit of the transcendence of“Dao,”which is“beyond the wealth and power.”