道器之辨——兼论中国古代器物美学思想

On "Tao"(the Way) and "Qi"(Artifact) and the Aesthetic Thoughts of Ancient Chinese Utensils

"道"是一种无形的、抽象的、本质的精神观念与思想存在;"器"则是一种有形的、具象的、感性的人为事物。"道""器"关系,就构成了中国古代器物美学的核心范畴,"器以载道"就成为中国古代器物美学的重要思想。无论是"道在器先"、"道在器中",还是"天下惟器",在中国古代造物实践中来看道器关系,"以器启道"是其重要内涵,即从"器"中能够体悟出设计者的美学追求。器物作为人类的创造物,不仅合乎自然之道、承载社会之道,而且在物趣与人情的融通中,还能够体现利生乐生的生命之道。

“Tao”(the Way)refers to an invisible,abstract,essential spiritual idea and thought;“qi”(artifact of utensils)is a tangible,figurative,sensual man-made object.The relationship between the two constitutes the core category of the aesthetics of ancient Chinese utensils,which is recapitulated as“the Way carried by artifacts.”Ideas such as“the Way before artifact”(dao zai qi xian),“Tao incarnated in artifact”(tao zai qi zhong)and“artifact is all”(tianxia wei qi)all examine the relationship between the Way and artifact in the practice of utensil making.The significance of the relationship lies in revealing the Way via artifact,and feeling the designers’aesthetic pursuit in utensils.As the creation of human beings,utensils not only conform to the law of nature and carry the Way of human society,but also reflect the essence of life in the harmonious creation of utensils and human feelings.