关于报告文学的“学理性”与“功利性”——报告文学本体新论之一

On the "Scientific Principle" and "Utilitarianism" of Reportage:A New Perspective on the Ontology of Reportage

报告文学本体论中的传统"三性"——新闻性、文学性、政论性已不能规范和指导当今的报告文学"现实",而必须代之以"文本内涵的学理性"等新"五性"。如果说,新时期以前的报告文学侧重的主要是与现实政治密切相关的"政论性",那么,新时期以来的报告文学则不但将其潜在的批判理性与政治理性发展至新的阶段,而且还增加了批判传统、反思历史、文化启蒙与学术性、知识性等理性内涵,从而形成了以追寻"现代性"、高扬科学精神与人文精神的"新理性精神"。"学理性"与"理性美"的价值和意义有三:一是在理论上补充和丰富了哲学社会科学;二是在实践上推动和促进了社会历史的发展;三是在精神上启迪心智、激励斗志、陶冶情操。以往学界对报告文学的轻视,主要是因为它是一种"功利性"很强的文体。实际上,注重文学价值的"功利性"是中国现代文论现代性的重要特色。报告文学"学理性"与"理性美"的凸显,说明我们的时代仍是一个需要高扬"理性"而没有进入"真正的审美"的时代,也说明文学的"功利性"价值观仍值得尊重与肯定。

Traditionally, the ontology of reportage has emphasized three characteristics： journalism, literature and political commentary. Yet, these three characteristics can no longer serve as the standard of contemporary reportage and should be replaced by the ＂five new characteristics＂ such as the ＂scientific principle of text connotation＂. If the reportage before the ＂New Era （1978）＂ mainly dealt with themes closely connected with political reality, the post-New-Era reportage has not only brought its potential critique of reason and political reason to a new stage, but has developed the critique of tradition, reflection of the past, cultural enlightenment, academic spirit and so on. Thus a ＂Neospirit of Reason＂ has taken shape which is characterized by the pursuit of modernity,enhancement of the scientific spirit and humanism. The value and significance of the ＂scientific principle＂ and ＂beauty of reason＂ lie in the fact that theoretically, they have enhanced the philosophical social science; in practice,they have promoted the development of our society; and spiritually, they have enlightened people＇s mind, stimulated them to further effort and refined their sentiment. The reason why reportage used to be looked down upon in the academic circle is that reportage is ＂utilitarian＂. In fact,＂ utilitarianism＂ is one of the most important featuresof ＂modernity＂ in the theory of literature and art of modern China. The prominence of the ＂scientific principle＂ and ＂beauty of reason＂ in reportage proves that this is still an era of ＂reason＂, not an era of ＂genuine aesthetics＂. This phenomenon also proves that ＂utilitarianism＂ of reportage should be recognized and respected.