从卜与筮看人类智慧演进的得与失

Distinguish Gains and Losses of Human Intelligence Evolution from Bu and Shi

"卜"与"筮"都是预测吉凶的。"卜"运用预测者的特殊感知预测事物,"筮"则需要借助理性的数字计算预测事物。从"卜"到"筮"表明人们抽象思维能力的提高,同时也容易使人脱离或远离实际事物本身。从"卜"到"筮"的演变过程中,古代巫师的至尊地位逐步丧失,相应地巫师的特殊感知能力和威力也逐步消退。在卜筮基础上发展起来的《易经》,所包含的哲学成分逐步取代了其预测功能,此时卜筮文化就被哲学、宗教等文化形式所取代。各种智慧形式都是人类自身无限潜能的外显,人类自身的强大功能被外化出来之后,便不得不依靠这些外化的"工具"保持与自然之间的联系。当科技理性主导一切的时候,其消极影响也表现出来,这就要求我们重新回归到人与自然之间的亲密关系之中。

＂Bu＂ and ＂Shi＂,or foretelling and divination,are the forecasts of fortune or ill luck.＂Bu＂ predicts things by using of special perception forecasters,yet ＂Shi＂ would require a rational computing.The process from ＂Bu＂ to ＂Shi＂ indicates the elevation of man＇s abstract thinking capabilities,and it also made it easy to make people be independent to the actual objects proper.During the process of evolution from ＂Bu＂ to ＂Shi＂ the ancient sorcerers＇ supreme position gradually lost,correspondingly their special abilities and powers of perception gradually subsided.The philosophic elements in ＂Book of Changes＂ developed on the basis of ＂Bu＂ and ＂Shi＂ gradually replaced their foretelling functions.At this stage,the culture of ＂Bu＂ and ＂Shi＂ was replaced by the cultural forms of philosophy and religion,etc.All forms of wisdom are the external demonstration of man＇s infinite potentiality.When man＇s powerful functions are externalized,man has to rely on these externalized ＂tools＂ to keep in touch with the nature.When the rationality of science and technology dominates everything,its negative effects are shown,which requires us to return to the intimate relations with the nature.