Distinguishing between Li and Xing

“理”、“性”辨（英文）

In ancient China,the morphemes li理and xing性were monosyllables,and both literally and semantically,their signifiers and signified greatly differed from lixing理性(reason)as a holistic concept in the sense of pragmatics.The concept of li in Chinese culture was the principle of practical reason,and the intuitive expression of practical wisdom;reason in the West is a theoretical reason,the logical expression of theoretical wisdom.The concept of xing in ancient China strictly delimited human nature and biological properties;for li理and de德within the concept of xing,what was more important was the ethical and value meanings embodied in xing that highlighted man’s conscious moral pursuit.The xing of ancient China can be taken to be ethical.The discrimination and analysis of li and xing in ancient China,and the discrimination and analysis of li in ancient China and lixing or reason in the present,provide new clues for the construction of a hermeneutic theory and system.In view of the original meaning of li in the East,interpretation starts from xing,proceeds in light of li,and reveals the origin of xing;respecting the original meaning of li(principle)in the West,hermeneutics starts with principles and sets to work with analysis,featuring synthetization.Oriental practical wisdom and Occidental theoretical reason complement,refer to and are integrated with each other,revealing the full value and meaning of interpretation,and approaching the cognition of truth in endless reflection.Following the cultural and philosophical tradition of ancient China while referring to Western philosophy and its method of reason can serve as an important ground for the basic rules of contemporary hermeneutics.

在中国古代,“理”与“性”作为确定的单音字是各自独立使用的,在文字与语义学的意义上,其能指与所指,与作为整体概念的“理性”语用差异甚大。中国之理,是实践理性之理,乃实践智慧的直观表达;西方之理性,是理论理性之理,乃理论智慧的逻辑表达。中国的性观念,严格区分了人性与生物性之界线,性观念中所包含的理与德,更重要的是它所容纳的伦理及价值意义,彰显了人类自觉的道德追求。中国古代之性,当为伦理之性。中国古代“理”与“性”的辨析,中国古代理与当代理性的辨析,为阐释学理论与体系构建提供一条新的线索。重东方理之本义,阐释由性而起,据理而顺,彰显性之本原;重西方理之本义,阐释由理而始,从分析而上手,呈综合之气象。东方实践智慧与西方理论理性之互补,相鉴相融之中,集合起阐释的全部价值与意义,在无限反思之长河中,趋向真理性认识。基于中国古代文化与哲学传统,借鉴西方哲学及理性方法,可为当代阐释学基本规则的重要根据。