《西铭》“称”之意涵再探——从“乾称父,坤称母”说起

The Interpretation of“Call”in the Western Inscription--From the“Call Qian Father,Call Kun Mother”

张横渠的《西铭》,以"乾称父,坤称母"为全篇的前提。通过"称",一方面从道理上揭露乾坤为万物父母的本然事实,以及父母之所以为父母的重大性;另一方面要求人通过行动意义上的去"称"来履行自身的职责。去"称"的工夫并非有事亲、事天两套方案,根据《西铭》下篇以事亲明事天的论述,可知事亲、事天不二,事天是通过事亲来达成的。通过"称",人与自身、乾坤、父母、万物的关系都发生转向,我不再是一个有限的个体,乾坤不再遥远疏离,父母不再是两团气血,万物不再是无关的他者。

Zhang Zai wrote the Western Inscription and established the premise of the whole article with the“Call Qian father,call Kun mother”.In terms of the philosophical connotation,“Call Qian father,call Kun mother”aims to illustrate that Qian and Kun are truly our parents;in terms of the action,that demands us to take the responsibility to“call”.However,there are not two different tasks for us to“call”,like to“call”Qian-Kun or to“call”parents.According to the Western Inscription,to“call”Qian-Kun and to“call”parents are actually not two different ways.To“call”parents is calling Qian-Kun.Through“calling”,the relationships between me and others(like Qian-Kun,parents,all beings)become different.I am no longer a limited individual,Qian-Kun is no longer estranged with me,parents are not just flesh and blood,all substances are not unrelated objects to me.