《庄子》的心论、性论及荀子之融摄

The Theory of Mind and Nature in Zhuangzi and The Integration by Xunzi

《庄子》一书中的“心”主要探讨的是如何从耳目感官之知、心的理性认知进展到体认觉悟“道”的过程。《庄子》一书中的“性”主要探讨的是人的本性。在庄子眼中,人性为最可贵之物,人需要通过心的修炼来返归到原初的本性。通过“心斋”和“坐忘”的工夫以及“庖丁解牛”这一故事中所隐喻的“心”与“性”之间转化的智慧,人在返归到原初本性的同时,也实现了物我合一的天道,同时保持了个体生命的完整。荀子的“虚壹而静”思想可谓对庄子思想的融摄,其中隐含着庄子在具体多样的个体认知与形而上之道,也即“心”与“性”之间保持动态平衡的观念。

In the Zhuangzi,the concept of“heart/mind”(xin心)is primarily explored in terms of how one progresses from the knowledge of sensory perception and rational cognition to the enlightenment of the“Way”(dao道).Zhuangzi’s discussion on“nature”(xing性)focuses on human nature.In Zhuangzi’s view,human nature is the most precious thing,and humans need to cultivate their hearts to return to their original nature.Through the practices of“the fasting of xin”(xinzhai心斋)and“sitting down and forgetting”(zuowang坐忘),as well as the wisdom implied in the transformation between“heart/mind”and“nature”metaphorically represented in the story of“Cook Ding’s Cutting up an Ox,”one not only returns to the original nature but also achieves the unity of man and nature in the heavenly Way,while maintaining the integrity of individual life.Xunzi’s concept of“emptiness,unity,and stillness”(xu yi er jing虚壹而静)can be seen as an integration of Zhuangzi’s ideas,containing the notion of maintaining a dynamic balance between the concrete,diverse individual cognitions and the metaphysical Way,that is,between“heart/mind”and“nature.”