行动的逻辑:西方国际关系理论“知识转向”的意义

The Logic of Action:the Implications of"Knowledge Transition"in Western International Relations Theory

国际关系理论研究的重点之一是国际行为体行动的逻辑。西方国际关系理论近年来出现了一个新的发展趋势,即从原来讨论行动的实在性原因转向探究行动的知识性原因,主要表现是实践理论的兴起。国际关系主流理论一直试图发现国家行动的实在性因变量,比如现实主义、自由主义和建构主义分别将国际体系结构、国际制度、国际规范作为国家行动的重要原因。实践理论转而探索知识对行动的作用,将知识分为表象性知识和背景性知识两类,前者导向理性行动,后者导向自发行动。由于行动在大部分时候和大部分情境中受到背景性知识引导,背景性知识才是行动的主要驱动和基本逻辑。因此,促成行动的基本要素不是理性,而是行动者的历史、经历、文化和实践。这种新的趋势可以称为"知识转向"。知识转向的意义不仅在于提出了新的行动逻辑,挑战了西方主流理论的理性主义假定,更重要的是为"他文化"语境中的社会理论创新开拓了合法性空间。

One of the main topics in theoretical research on international relations(IR)is the logic of the actions of international entities.In recent years,there has been a new trend in Western IR theory:a shift from the original discussion of the actual causes of action to research on the knowledge causes of action.This is mainly evident in the rise of theories of practice.Mainstream IR theory has always tried to discover the actual dependent variable of national actions;for instance,realism,liberalism and constructivism respectively see the structure of the international system,international institutions and international norms as important causes of national action.Theories of practice have shifted to exploring the role of knowledge in action;they divide knowledge into representational knowledge and background knowledge,with the former leading to reasoned action and the latter leading to spontaneous action.Since in most times and most environments,actions are guided by background knowledge,it is background knowledge that is the main driver and the basic logic of action.Therefore,the basic elements contributing to action are not reason but the actor's history,experience,culture and practice.This new trend could be called'knowledge transition. 'The significance of'knowledge transition' lies not only in putting forward a new logic of action and challenging the rational presuppositions of Western IR theory;more importantly,it opens up legitimate space for the creation of social theory in the context of the culture of the other.