“明”的展开与天人之间的分合——荀子“明于天人之分”新论

The Unfolding of“Ming”and the Identification of Nature and Man——A New Study on Xunzi’s Understanding of the Relation between Nature and Man

基于人的知行活动整体的"人之明"在荀子对天人关系的阐释中发挥着根本性的作用。荀子的天人观包涵着由"人之明"所开显的"天人合一"和"天人相分"这相互连结的两个方面,"明"并非空无之明,而是呈现于真实之全体——"道"不断到来的过程中。同时,"明"亦有其内在的有限性,人之明所未能抵达之域就是"天",固执于一隅之明而不能领悟其有限性,就使得"明"反而成为"蔽"。领悟"明"在认识论上的有限性,让"道"得以从虚寂中不断地在无数有限之明中到来,就是"去蔽"。在不断克服"明"之有限性与保持"道"得以到来的可能性的过程中,天人的分分合合就扬弃了理智的抽象假设而回归于世界的真实根底。

Based on human’s overall activities of knowledge and action,the"Apperception of Man"has the most fundamental function in Xunzi’s elaboration of the relation of nature and man.Xunzi’s opinion about Nature and Man is composed of two interconnected aspects including the"Unity of Nature and Man"and the"Separation of Nature and Man",which are presented by the"Apperception of Man"."Ming"is not empty;instead it is presented during the continuously incoming process of the real whole-"Tao".At the same time,"Ming"also has its inherent limitation.The domain that the apperception of man fails to reach is"Tian",and sticking to part of one’s knowledge instead of having a comprehensive understanding turns into"concealing".Perceiving the limited side of"Ming"in Epistemology and letting"Tao"be able to continuously come in sober is"uncovering".In the process of overcoming the limitation of"Ming"and keeping the possibility of the coming of"Tao",the unity and separation of Nature and Man will subplate the abstract assumption of reason and return to the real foundation of the world.