中国传统文化中实用理性的表现及历史作用

The Performance and Historical Effects of Pragmatic Rationality in Chinese Traditional Culture

实用理性是中国传统文化的一种精神特质,本质上是一种经验理性,其形成取决于中国传统的生产生活实践和历史文化背景。实用理性涵盖了国人经世致用的价值取向、积极进取的人生态度、经验直觉的思维方式、重人事轻鬼神的人生信仰等。实用理性精神对于中华民族自强不息、刚健有为民族精神的形成,对于中国文化多元化、连续性特征的形成,发挥了积极的精神动力作用;但也存在功利主义等的不足。

The pragmatic rationality is the spiritual feature of the Chinese traditional culture. It is essentially empirical rationality,and its formation relies on the daily living and production practice as well as the historical and cultural background. It is composed of the value orientation of pragmatism,positive attitude towards life,empirically intuitive way of thinking,and the belief in mundane life rather than gods and ghosts. It contributes to the formation of the Chinese national spirit of constantly striving for improvement,and the vigorous and promising character. It also motivates dynamically the pluralism and continuity of Chinese culture. Nevertheless,utilitarianism is its defect. The study of its performance and historical effects will improve our cultural self-consciousness in the process of China＇s modernization and social transformation.