论西方古代哲学主流精神的三位代表性人物

Three Representatives of the Main Trends of Ancient Philosophical Spirit in the West

本文认为,柏拉图、西塞罗、奥古斯丁三位哲学家最适宜充当西方古代哲学主流精神发展的三根标杆。本质主义比逻各斯主义更能准确地揭示西方古代哲学思想方式的特质。本质主义思维方式认定并相信,任何事物都有一个深藏在其外在形态之中的本质,从而把揭示事物的本质视为哲学认识的目的,把反映事物本质的知识称作真知识,而视其他知识为意见或谬误。柏拉图是本质主义思维方式的奠基人;西塞罗接受了柏拉图的本质主义,为希腊哲学思想在罗马世界的普及和运用,以及西方本质主义思维方式的拉丁化做了关键性的转化工作;奥古斯丁则注重内在意识确定性的阐发,使西方本质主义的思维方式内化,昭示了西方哲学进一步发展的方向。

Plato,Cicero and Augustine best represent the three main trends of ancient philosophical spirit in the West.Essentialism is a better word than logos to expound the basic character of the thinking mode in ancient Western philosophy.It believes and affirms that there is an essence which is deeply concealed in the external body of all things,and it is the purpose of philosophical investigation to reveal the essence,the knowledge which reflects the essence is true and real and all others are false or not real.Plato is the founder of essentialism.Cicero has accepted Plato's theory and applied it to every branch of learning.He has also successfully transformed the Greek essentialism into Latin culture,made it popular and expanded in the Roman world.Augustine puts emphasis on the certainty of inner consciousness,which helps internalize the thinking mode of essentialism and foretells the future development of Western philosophy.