“真俗之变”:论章太炎“求是”与“致用”关系的演变逻辑、成因及其影响

The Change of True Meaning and Common Meaning:On the Evolution Logic,Causes and Influence of the Relationship between Zhang Taiyan’s“Seeking Truth”and“Applying”

“求是”与“致用”分别代表了两种不同的学术价值取向。作为晚清古文经学代表人物的章太炎虽然深受“实事求是”方法论的影响,但在有些时期对“致用”也多有强调。具体来说,章太炎早年的思想表现出明显的“致用”倾向;1906年开始,从“致用”转入对“求是”的追求;到了1920年后,又开始强调“致用”的重要性。这种变化有社会现实因素的影响,但更重要的是与他“真如”哲学的建构与夭折有着密切关系。而章氏“求是”与“致用”关系的演变,又在一定意义上造成了其哲学体系内部的矛盾与现实关怀的失落。

“Seeking Truth”and“Application”respectively represent two different academic value orientations.Zhang Taiyan,as a representative of ancient classics in the late Qing Dynasty,was deeply influenced by the methodology of“seek truth from facts”,but in some periods he put more emphasis on“application”.In particular,Zhang Taiyan’s early thought showed a clear tendency of“application”,and in 1906,he shifted from“application”to the“pursuit of truth”,to 1920,he began to emphasize the importance of“application”.This kind of change has been influenced by the social realistic factors,but more importantly has close relation with the construction and premature death of his“true as”philosophy.However,the evolution of the relationship between“seeking truth”and“application”in a certain sense has resulted in the loss of contradiction and realistic concern in his philosophical system.