《论语》“天命”概念新解

A New Interpretation of the Concept of“Decrees of Heaven” in The Analects of Confucius

"天命"是《论语》甚至是中华文化中的重要概念,但因其含义复杂,故难有确解。在《论语》中,"天命"是一个具有系统性的立体概念,它涵摄了"整体面向的含义"与"个别面向的含义",其中"个别面向的含义"又包含着"无待向度"与"有待向度"。唯有分别理清这些方面的"天命"含义,我们才能整体而准确地把握住《论语》中的"天命"概念。

＂Decrees of Heaven＂ is an important concept in The Analects of Confucius and even in the Chinese culture. But its meaning is complex, and it is too difficult to interpret the concept accurately. In The Analects of Confucius,＂decrees of Heaven＂ is a stereoscopic concept with systematicness. It embraces＂the meaning of the aspect of whole being＂ and＂the meaning of the aspect of individual being＂, and＂the meaning of the aspect of individual being ＂ subsumes＂the dimension of subject-object dichotomy＂ and＂the dimension of subject-object unity＂. The clarification of the meaning of＂decrees of Heaven＂helps us grasp the concept of ＂decrees of Heaven＂ in The Analects of Confucius integrally and accurately.