道:可言与不可言之间——老庄道言关系初探

Tao:Between Speakable and Unspeakable——Exploration of Lao Zhuang's Relation between Tao and Speech

老子、庄子思想中的"道"与"言"是相冲突的,"道"的超言绝象的特性决定了用平常语言是很难把握它的("不可言")。然而,《老子》、《庄子》中又有很多关于"道"的"描述",向我们展现了"神秘莫测"的"道"的很多方面的内容。也就是说,老庄在否定了"常言"对"道"的表述后,又使用了一种特殊的"言道"方式("可言")。这是中国哲学史上很独特的分野,体现了道家独有的语言哲学观。

“Tao” and “speech” is contradictory in the Lao Zi-Zhuang Zi＇s thought. “Tao” is very difficult to be grasped by the ordinary language （“ not speakable” ） because of its characteristics of Surmounting language and denying phenomenon. However, in Lao Zi and Zhuang Zi there is much description about “Tao”, which presents us with rich content about “Tao” （ mysterious and unpredictable）. In fact, after Lao-Zhuang denied “the common speech” to “Tao” , special use was made of one way to “speak Tao” （ “ might speak” ）. This is a very unique dividing line in the Chinese philosophy history, manifesting Taoism＇s unique language philosophy.