反思与建构:关于精神文化符号学的几点设想

Reflection and Construction:Ideas on Cultural Semiotics of Jingshen

长期以来,以西方为主导的符号学范式主要沿着科学化研究的轨迹前进,试图通过科学归纳与演绎,为人类认识世界打开了独特的窗口。然而,人类的符号活动是无法与人的主体性或曰人的精神性相分离的。这种内在的联系纷繁复杂,千变万化,是无法脱离特定的社会文化环境、仅用科学归纳和演绎的方式来加以概括的。有鉴于此,本文提出要构建精神文化符号学的设想,努力以“天人合一”的中国传统认知模式为基础,从“多元化”的研究方法、“个性化”的符号特征、“自由化”的学术理想等维度,更加推崇人的自由,追求人与自然、个性与社会的“和谐”;同时将符号学研究视为揭示人的精神文化活动复杂联系的重要手段,以期为符号学探索一条既“多元”又“统一”的研究路径,从而实现老庄学说的“有无相生”、“无为而无不为”的最高思想境界。

For a long time,Western-dominated paradigms of semiotic studies have mainly followed the track of science,trying to open a unique window to the world by means of scientific induction and deduction.However,human semiosis can hardly be separated from human agency or human jingshen.This form of inner connection is so complex and variable that if isolated from its specific sociocultural milieu,it would be impossible to generalise merely via induction or deduction.Therefore,this paper proposes some ideas on the establishment of cultural semiotics of jingshen,grounded in the traditional Chinese cognitive model of“human oneness with nature”and approaching from the dimensions of pluralised research methods,individualised semiotic properties and“liberalised”academic aspirations.These ideas represent and coalesce in our attempt to further promote the concept of freedom and the pursuit of harmony between humanity and nature,individuality and sociality.In this study,we view semiotic inquiry as a crucial means of revealing the complex connections in cultural activities that feature human jingshenin an attempt to locate a pluralised yet unified path for semiotics that fulfils the ultimate Taoist visions of“being and not-being begetting one another”and“actionless activity”.