中国哲学中“自然”概念的内涵及衍化

Connotation and Evolution of the Concept of“Nature”in Chinese Philosophy

“自然”是中国古典哲学中的重要概念,研究“自然”对深入理解自然界、自然科学、社会科学有重要裨益。从造字法、词法、语法角度理解“自然”的来源和本意,可明晰其在先秦时的主要内涵,揭示出老子使用“自然”的语境,把握“自然”的哲学意蕴。道家综合、辩证地讨论了“道”与“自然”、人之自然与物之自然、宇宙生成论与本体论,且影响到两汉、魏晋,直至清代。“自然”内涵的重要衍变发生于魏晋,既深化又窄化了“自然”的内涵。道家与儒释的交融中,“自然”概念产生流变,在“人”与“物”之间摇摆。随着时代发展,“自然”概念逐渐窄化和形而下化,最终尘埃落定为现代社会中的语义——既是哲学概念又是日常用语。

“Nature”is an important concept in Chinese classical philosophy,the study of which is of great benefit to the deep understanding of nature,natural science,and social science.Understanding the origin and original meaning of“nature”from the perspectives of word formation,morphology,and grammar can clarify its main connotations in the pre-Qin period,reveal the context in which Laozi uses“nature”,and grasp the philosophical implications of“nature”.Taoism comprehensively and dialectically discussed“Tao”and“nature”,the nature of man and the nature of things,the theory of cosmogenesis and ontology,and affected the Han,Wei,Jin,until Qing Dynasties.The important evolution of the connotation of“nature”happened in the Wei and Jin Dynasties,both deepening and narrowing the connotation of“nature”.In the blending of Taoism,Confucianism,and buddhism,the concept of“nature”has undergone a transformation,swinging between“man”and“things”.With the development of the times,the concept of“nature”gradually narrows down and materializes,and ultimately settles into the modern semantics of modern society—both a philosophical concept and a daily term.