现代性与传统——西方视域及其启示

Modernity and Tradition:A Western Perspective and its Enlightenment

现代性与传统之间存在着错综复杂的关系。传统既是现代性的产物,又与现代性相对峙。激进化启蒙片面强调现代性与传统的对立,通过把传统置于理性对面而否认传统的价值。实际上,现代性与传统之间存在着辩证的互动关系,传统的结构性内容在现代性中既被消解又被重建,而现代性的秩序则充斥着不断进入时间意识的传统流传物。因此,传统需要现代性,现代性也需要传统。呵护传统和现代性之间互补式默契关系的良方是,摆脱启蒙自负心态,回到有限思维的界线意识上来。一个负责任的知识分子不仅知道自己使用理性的正当范围和界限,也懂得敬畏传统和习俗。惟其如此,现代与传统才能各安其位,交往互动,相映生辉,表现为思想对同一世界的不同对待。

The relationship between tradition and modernity is very complicated, with the former being a product of the latter, but also its polar opposite. However, radicalizing enlightenment tends to one-sidedly emphasize the opposition between modernity and tradition. These enlightenment thinkers did this by regarding tradition ias the opposite of rationality and by denying the valueof tradition. In fact, modernity and tradition can be said to be complementart to each other. Within the context of modernity the structural content of tradition has been deconstructed and subsequently reconstructed. Moreover, the order of modernity is continuously inundated with heirlooms of tradition by means of temporal consciousness. Therefore, tradition needs modernity and Modernity needs tradition. The best way to preserve an understanding of the intricate connection between the two is to abandon the self-imposed burden of the enlightenment and return to a consciousness of boundaries implicit in a finite mode of thinking. A responsible intellectual should not only know the appropriate areas to employ rationality and the limits thereof, but also should respect tradition and custom. Only in this way can tradition and modernity find their proper positions, maintain a fruitful interchange, two approaches to one world.