浪漫的理想与现实的道德教化——希腊神话与中国神话不同的价值取向

Romantic Ideal and Utilitarian Domestication: The Distinctive Values among Greek and Chinese Mythology

各民族的神话虽然在某些内容和主题方面有一定的相似性,但各民族不同的地理、历史和社会背景以及民族特有的心理结构和思维模式规定了他们不同的发展历程、基本的文化精神和价值取向。在希腊神话体系中,诸神和英雄(半神)身上有着强烈的对美的理想的追求和向往,感性的浪漫主义构成神话的基调;而在中国的古代神话中,诸神普遍具有一种历史化、伦理化的倾向和道德教化功能,神话传说成为扬善抑恶的道德教科书。这两种价值观奠定了今后中西两种不同的文化精神,即"超越现实,追求彼岸的浪漫精神和宗教情怀与专注于现实人生及人际协调的务实精神和伦理色彩"。

It is held in this article that the mythologies of different nations undergo their own growth course and boast distinctive spirits and values in the light of those social, historical, psychological distinctions. In Greek mythology, Gods are characterized by the strong romantic and ideal inclination, while the China＇s mythology features the incarnated Saints who are mostly prone to be ethical, historical and moralizing. This article aims at illustrating the likely social and cultural sources for such a distinction.