论亚里士多德的“始点”及其实践意义

On Aristotle's "Starting Point" and Its Practical Significance

在古希腊哲学中,似乎并不缺少对始点的追问和追寻,但只有亚里士多德才把始点问题说得清除。亚里士多德的“始点”概念,是对前人的继承和批判,是对“所以是的是”的追问。亚里士多德认为“始点”是哲学对真理的追求,对“本原”和原因的追问,这是形而上学所必须关注的根本问题之一,只有通过哲学的思考才能获得这一概念。如果说,哲学的思考是哲学家在沉思生活中开展的实践活动,是把始点呈现在表象里、把握在意识中,那么相较于哲学式的沉思生活,政治生活更符合城邦社会中的大多数人,大多数人的实践活动均在城邦制中展开,在此基础上,道德德行的习惯养成得以使“始点”概念在政治生活中实现了其实践意义。因此,对于个体的好生活和城邦的公共生活而言,始点的实践意义大于它在哲学上的理论意义。

Aristotle's concept of"beginning point"is the inheritance and criticism of predecessors,and the questioning of"so yes is".Aristotle believes that the"beginning point"is the pursuit of truth in philosophy,the questioning of"origin"and cause,which is one of the fundamental issues metaphysics must pay attention to,and only through philosophical thinking can we obtain this concept.If philosophical thinking is a practical activity carried out in the contemplative life of philosophers,and the beginning point is presented in the appearance and grasped in the consciousness,then in terms of individual life and public life,what is it like to inquire and pursue the beginning point?Compared with philosophical contemplative life,political life is more suitable for most people in the city-state society,and most people's practical activities are carried out in the city-state system.On this basis,the habit formation of moral virtue makes the concept of"beginning point"realize its practical significance in political life.Therefore,for the good life of individuals and the public life of city-states,the practical significance of the starting point is greater than its theoretical significance in philosophy.