经学与经学史的联系及分别

On the Relations and Distinctions between the Study of the Confucian Classics and the History of the Confucian Classics

历史上的经与经学可以分为两汉以前的群经时期、两汉以下的经学时期以及五四运动以来的经学史时期。经学时代的经学既是知识体系,又是价值体系,后一方面同时具有宗教、政治和道德伦理功能。经学随着皇权帝制的终结走下神坛,作为知识体系和道德伦理的价值承载功能依然延续,甚至有所加重。近代以来,在西式分科架构下被分解拆装的中学,程度不同地发生变形、变异。用历史的方法研究经学的经学史取径,是让今人沟通古人精神世界的有效途径,可以推动思想学术领域以复古为创新的文艺复兴,进而为改变欧洲中心的笼罩,重构多元化的国际秩序,提供屈指可数的文化物种选项。

The historical development of the Confucian classics and their study can be divided into three periods. The one before the Han Dynasty was characterized by a considerable diversity of literature and schools of thoughts,while the one after that witnessed the second period with the birth of orthodoxy. The third period is marked by the May Fourth Movement,which drew the Chinese intellectuals ’ attention to the history of the Confucian classics. The second period worked not only as a knowledge system,but also as a value system with religious,political and moral functions. Although the overthrow of the imperial power ended the divinity of the Confucian classics,their significance in terms of knowledge system and value system continued. Since the late Qing Dynasty,Chinese knowledge system was reorganized in line with the Western frame of disciplines,which resulted in its variations. Thus,this paper argues studying the Confucian classics with a historical method is the key to a proper understanding of ancient thoughts.Only in this way can we bring forth the renaissance of Chinese classical learning so as to seek valuable options of cultural system for challenging Eurocentrism and reshaping the world order.