论儒家自然哲学的天道时序观及其生态意义——以《易传》为中心

On the Order of Time in the Dao(Way) of Heaven in Confucian Natural Philosophy and Its Ecological Significance——Focusing on the Yi zhuan

在哲学中,"天道"是天地万物运行的总体过程、性质和规律。关于天道运行的机制,易学自然哲学的说法是"神妙万物"。神是阴阳运行的微妙、神秘、不知其然而见其功的作用,也是变化的动力;天道运行所表现出来的节奏、节律、秩序以及由这种节律所决定的应该采取的行动则是时和时序。儒家自然哲学的时与现代牛顿时间观不同。儒家的天道观是有机的、内在的,人和自然可以相互影响的。其自然规律,是生态性质的,是一种稳定性,而不是超出人为控制的必然性;可以因人的不当行为而遭到破坏。儒家自然哲学对于天道的这种认识在历史上产生了敬畏自然的生态态度,对于当今人类社会具有重要的启发意义。

In Confucian natural philosophy, the Dao （ Way） of heaven is a general process, quality, and law of the motions of the myriad things. For the organism of the motion of the Dao of heaven, in natural philosophy of Change, it is the Spirit-like being which miraculously manipulates the myriad things. The Spirit-like being is the subtleness and mystery of the rotations and interaction of yin and yang, its organism being invisible yet its functions being visible. In addition, in the Yi-ology, the Spirit-like being is the dynamie of changes. The Dao （ Way） of Heaven manifested as the rhythm and order, and the actions man should take by the rhythm and order is time. Obviously, the Time in Confucian natural philosophy differs from modem Newton＇s concept of time. In Confucianism, the Dao of Heaven is organic and immanent, and man and nature can influence each other. The natural law in Confucianism is ecologieal~ be= ing stability but not inevitability beyond man＇s control. This law may be destroyed by man＇s inappropriate actions. This cognition in Gonfucian natural philosophy in the history brought forth an attitude of reverence to nature, which is significant and inspiring for con temporary human society.