“差序格局”探源

A Genealogy of the Concept of Chaxu Geju

本文从学术史的角度对费孝通的"差序格局"说作一种"发生学"的研究,考察"差序格局"以及相关的"乡土社会"、"乡土中国"等词语、概念及问题的学术渊源与发展脉络。本文提出:费孝通的"乡土中国"与美国社会人类学家雷德菲尔德的"乡土社会"概念有密切关系;其"差序格局"说则包含了多个思想或学术来源及内容,包括人类学亲属制度研究,与杨朱思想相关联的绝对"自我主义",儒家思想中的"人伦差等"及"推仁"、"修齐治平"等。

This paper examines the concept of chaxu geju as conceived by Fei Xiaotong,a leading Chinese sociologist and social anthropologist in the late 1940 s. Despite its application in empirical studies as a key theoretical framework by Chinese sociologists during the last two decades,little research has been done on the intellectual context of this concept. Through extensive historical research,this paper reveals the complexities surrounding Fei's concept,which drew upon diverse intellectual currents of the era in both China and the West. Among other ideas,the concept of 'Folk Society'of Robert Redfield,reinterpretations of Confucianism and Daoism,as well as studies of kinship system in anthropology were all influential in forming Fei's concept. Such work should clarify misunderstandings in recent scholarly circles,demonstrating that Fei's failure to adequately interpret and integrate his sources has led to logical contradictions in his work,and hence difficulties in further theorization.