论莱昂内尔·特里林的“本真”之思

Lionel Trilling’s Thoughts on“Authenticity”

存在主义哲学的核心概念“本真”在特里林那里获得了特别的关注与新的阐发。他从道德流变层面指出“本真”是相反于近代品德“真诚”的现代伦理诉求,申言“本真”指称的是人之原初性与是其所是,也即人不误信外在身份,不为共同观念所拘并突破金钱与机械的异化。在坚持社会是导致“非本真”的主因时,他又反对以激进方式获取“本真”,也不认为变革社会或放弃社会管制即可产生“本真”。相反,特里林认为,“本真”需要一定的社会抑制与心理律令,以便个人可以抵制虚无。存在主义的“本真”理念因过分强调自我而不容于现实社会或日常存在。特里林则通过侧重人的本身所是,论证“本真”与社会之间的复杂关系并从伦理角度对之展开研讨,减弱了“本真”的个人意志成分,舒缓了“本真”与社会之间的矛盾关系,将“本真”从复杂深奥的形而上理念演绎成宜在日常生活中应用的伦理品性。

The core concept of existentialist philosophy“authenticity”has received special attention and new elucidation from Trilling.From the aspects of moral transformation,he points out“authenticity”is a modern ethical appeal in contrast to the modern moral character“sincerity”,asserting that“authenticity”refers to the original nature and what people are.In other words,people refuse to misbelieve the external identity,break away from the bondage of common ideas,and transcend the alienation of money and machinery.While insisting that society is the main cause of“inauthenticity”,he also opposes obtaining“authenticity”in a radical way and does not believe that“authenticity”can be generated by reforming society or giving up social control.Instead,Trilling argues that“authenticity”requires a certain social inhibition and psychological discipline so that individuals can resist nihility.The concept of“authenticity”in existentialism cannot be applied to real society or daily existence,because it overemphasizes the self.By focusing on what people are,demonstrating the complex relationship between“authenticity”and society and discussing it from the perspective of ethics,Trilling abates the individual will as a component of“authenticity”,eases the contradiction between“authenticity”and society and transforms“authenticity”from a complex and esoteric metaphysical concept into an ethical character suitable for application in daily life.