知识论与哲学——评熊十力对西方哲学中知识论的误解

Theory of Knowledge and Philosophy: An Enquiry into Xiong Shili's Philosophical View

熊十力的哲学就是要在哲学和知识论之间划界 ,认为哲学的范围就是本体论 ,知识论不在哲学的范围之内。本体论讨论的是终极实在的问题 ,讨论的方法是直指本心的性智。而知识论是向外追求 ,其方法是分析思辨。因此知识论不同于哲学 ,它应属于科学的领域。熊十力这一看法是对西方哲学中知识论的误解。西方哲学的知识论讨论的核心问题虽与本体论有所区别 ,但在本质上仍然是一脉相传的。本体论关心终极的实在 ,知识论则关心我们是通过什么途径或什么方法才能达到终极实在这样的问题 ,其方法并不是纯粹向外追求。

Xiong Shili attempts to draw a line between philosophy and the theory of knowledge. He believes that the only question into which philosophy should enquire is the question of ontology rather than that of knowledge. Accordingly philosophy is ontology and the theory of knowledge belongs to science. The aim of science is to gain knowledge about external physical objects while the task of philosophy is to enquire into the ultimate reality, which is inside the human being. He thinks that we cannot use the scientific ways to enquire into inner ultimate reality. Another difference between philosophy and theory of knowledge is that the method of theory of knowledge is of analysis while that of philosophy is intellectual intuition.