汉儒理念与价值观研究的方法论问题之理论篇

Researching the Ideals and the Value-orientation of the Confucians in Han Dynasty China (Theoretic Issues)

臧知非《两汉之际儒生价值取向探微》(《史学集刊》2003年2期)的立论,和我近年考析汉儒的文字针锋相对,感觉有必要对考论汉儒所牵涉的一些史学理论和方法提出来讨论。本文“(一)理论篇”讨论法国“年鉴学派·心态史回转到人类文化历史学”的新趋向;这是转向到美国人类学大师罗拔·列德夫(Robert Redfield,1897—1958)所重视的文化“大传统”——对整体文化发展变化的多元和全面意义的理解,综合为文明史的研究——“人文·精神文明”。以中国传统观念来说,聚焦于文化“大传统”,是以“君子”的“价值”理念,来理解和批判两汉儒生;聚焦于文化“小传统”,是以“小人”的“行径”来体认两汉儒生。顾炎武以“大义”、“节义”等理想理念来评论《两汉风俗》;吕思勉、蒙文通(以及臧文未指名的钱穆师和我)则以汉儒“要改正当世社会组织”(传统谓之“济世淑世”)的“志士仁人之公意”、“洪流”来解释新莽政权之兴起;这都是从儒学的“人文精神”“淑世理想”和“学术理念”(文明“大传统”的价值理念)着眼;因而成为聚焦于文化“小传统”价值取向的臧文批评的标的。本文续“考论篇”将进一步讨论在历史考证和分析上研究汉儒的实际问题。

In response to Zang Zhifei＇ s recent article on the value- orientation of the Confucians in the Han Dynasty （Shixue jikan, 2003. 2）, the present article explores the theoretical issues （Part Ⅰ） and the practical problems of historical investigation （Part Ⅱ） in researching the ideals and the value - orientation of the Han Dynasty Confucians. Part Ⅰ of the article discusses （1） the recent “anthmpolgical turn” in the French “Annales School”involving studyng the “History of Mentality”, as well as a general trend in historical researchs; （2） this is, in turn, related to the anthropologist Robert Redtield＇ s emphasis on the important influence of the “Great Tradition” on the “Little Traditions”, which transforms anthropological work into “civilizational studies”; （3） this leads to a re- examination of the controversial meanings of “ethics” and “morals” and the Chinese translation of these as “Lunli” and “Daode”. The author argues that, for a proper understanding of Han Confucianism and the Confucians in Han dynasty China, one must take into consideration their “ethical claims” and “naomi ideals” （ingredients of the “Great Tradition” in a culture）, and not merely emphasizing their “petty mundane conducts” （the “Little Tradition”） as Zang＇ s recent article displayed.