中国哲学:通向世界的地方性知识

Understanding Chinese Philosophy in the Light of “Local Knowledge”

本文从动态的观点探讨中国哲学与哲学之间的关系。受人类学的启发,笔者把中国哲学理解为起源于地方性知识,且保持其特征的知识形态。本文认为中国哲学的本质必须通过对哲学史的考察才能揭示出来:一方面,中国哲学中的相关概念或范畴植根于具体的文化经验之中;另一方面,中国哲学在发展过程中又呈现出思想普遍化的理性倾向。反观西方哲学传统,也能发现类似的思想现象。在此考察的基础上,本文提出分层次发展中国哲学的方案:一种是从拓宽思想的广度着手,作观念普遍化的努力;另一种则是为显示经验之厚度,从事观念史的探讨,由此把中国哲学的世界化做成有根基的事业。

This paper aims to explore the relationship between Chinese philosophy and philosophy in general from a dynamic point of view. Inspired by current scholarship in anthropology, this paper considers Chinese philosophy as one form of knowledge that initially derived from local knowledge and has maintained its local peculiarity ever since. Thereby, the essence of Chinese philosophy must be revealed through the investigation of its history. On the one hand, its relevant concepts or categories are deeply rooted in its specific cultural experience;on the other, the proceeding of Chinese philosophy over time demonstrates a clear rational tendency toward universality. Furthermore, similar ideological phenomena can be found in the Western philosophical tradition. On that basis, a two-layered hierarchical solution will be put forward regarding the future development of Chinese philosophy, the first is to universalize the ideas and concepts in question, and the second is to carry out research into the history of ideas. The former aims to broaden the horizon of Chinese thought whereas the latter seeks to demonstrate the depth of relevant life experience. Overall, it endeavors to make the internalization of Chinese philosophy a well-grounded intellectual project.