中国文化的特质、基础及可有贡献——德克·卜德关于汉学的基本认识

Characteristics, Foundation and Contribution of Chinese Culture——On Derk Bodde’s Basic Understanding on Sinology

卜德研究中国文化涉及面很广,但核心集中在四个方面:其一,中国神话不像西方文化具有完整的"神话体系",而是以"零星碎片""历史化"为存在状态。其二,中国人虽不以逻辑思维见长,但却具有明显的"分类思维"。其三,汉语言文字的重要特征是表意文字,对中国文化的塑造产生了重要影响。其四,中国文化的"主导观念"体现在对"超自然世界""自然世界""人的世界"的看法中。四个方面虽然相对独立,但均以"和谐宇宙观"为基础,而"和谐宇宙观"可对人类和平发展作出贡献。可贵的是,卜德研究中国文化以多元文化观为前提。因此,他不仅看到中国文化的不足,亦能认识到其优长之处。

Bodde’s study of Chinese culture covers a wide range, but the core focuses on four aspects: firstly, Chinese myths do not have a complete “myth system” unlike western culture, and take “fragments” and “historicization” as the state of existence.Secondly, although Chinese people are not good at logical thinking, they have obvious “categorical thinking”.Thirdly, the important feature of Chinese language is ideograph, which has an important impact on the shaping of Chinese culture.Fourthly, the “dominant ideas” of Chinese culture are embodied in the views of “supernatural world”,“natural world” and “human world”.Although the four aspects are relatively independent, they are all based on “harmonious cosmology”,which can contribute to the peaceful development of mankind.What is valuable is that Bodde studies Chinese culture on the premise of multiculturalism.Therefore, he not only saw the shortcomings of Chinese culture, but also recognized its advantages.