论阳明学派的文学观念——以王阳明及其弟子为中心的考察

On the Literary Ideas of the Yangming School

阳明学派的文学观念立足于其"致良知"理论,与程朱学派同中有异。首先,在文道关系上,依然主张道本文末,但一反程朱"作文害道"说,提出"文不妨道"新观念,缓解了明开国以来文道关系的紧张局面;其次,在文辞表达上,主张"修辞立诚","辞达"即止,不沉溺于"艺";第三,在写作门径方面,反对模拟前人、范写经典的套路,主张师"心"自运,以"本色文字"为工;最后,在文学功用上,仍然注重其实用价值,强调文辞应"以明道为志",感发良知,"羽翼教化"。阳明学派的文学观念总体上并未超出理学藩篱,但其对"修辞立诚"、"本色文字"的强调,直接影响了晚明的"性灵"文学思想,使明代文学摆脱了模拟、复古窠臼而走向书写性灵,在明代文学思想史上具有转关意义。

The literary idea of the Yangming School is grounded in their concept of ＂conscience,＂ which differs in part from Cheng-Zhu school. In terms of relationship between the literature and Confucian ideas, Yangming School＇s belief is that literary creation may not be necessarily in conflict with those ideas, which is against Chengzhu School＇s claim of ＂literature does harm to Confucian ideas,＂ and Yarning School＇s argument helps to relieve the intense relationship between literature and Confucianism. In terms of literariness, Yangming School advocates sincerity in expression instead of indulgence in the art of rhetoric. In terms of literary creation, it opposes the simulation of the stereotyped form in canonized works and promotes a simple way of writing from the heart. Finally, on the function of literature, it still emphasizes the practical value of literature such as conveying the Confucian ideas and promoting the conscience. While Yangming School＇s literary idea on the whole does not go beyond the limitations of neo-Confueianism, its emphasis on sincerity in expression and simple diction had direct impact on the late Ming- Dynasty literary idea of ＂natural spirit. ＂