西方观念史上的“两个上帝”——读洛夫乔伊的《存在巨链》

"Two Gods" in the History of Western Ideas: after Read Lovejoy The Great Chain of Being

洛夫乔伊在《存在巨链》中描述了"存在巨链"的产生、演变以及与之相伴随的充足理由原则、充实性原则以及连续性原则等原则。同时,《存在巨链》一书也体现了洛夫乔伊独特的写作方法——关注"单元-观念",许多学者对这一独特的写作方法学者们提出了批评,其中最激烈的批评来自于剑桥学派的代表人物之一——斯金纳。虽然学者们提出了许多批评,洛夫乔伊的这种写作方式还是具有重大意义的。

Arthur O.Lovejoy describes the generation and evolution of the Great Chain of Being with the principle of sufficient reason,the principle of plenitude,and the principle of continuity in The Great Chain of Being: A Study of the History of an Idea.Meanwhile,the book also shows Lovejoy's particular writing method,that is,he focuses on the unit-ideas.Many scholars criticize such method,among which Skinner is especially sharp who is one of representative figures of the Cambridge school.Although many scholars criticize critically,there is great importance for Lovejoy's writing method.