从宋学兴起看中华文明的连续性与创新性

The Rise of Neo-Confucianism: A Reflection of the Continuity and Creativity of Chinese Civilization

连续性是中华文明的首要突出特性,为创新性提供所尊之古、所守之正;创新性赋予文明连续的生命力,是文明进化的内生动力。宋学兴起是中国思想文化领域转型的标志事件之一,集中体现了中华文明连续性与创新性的辩证统一关系。宋学坚持经典诠释传统、以“仁”为核心的基本价值观及追寻圣人之道,体现了中华文明的连续性;宋学求实求理的学术新精神、疑经惑传与以己意说经的学术新风气、哲学思辨与社会实践相结合的学术新特质则体现了中华文明的创新性。结合中华文明的突出特性与宋学兴起这一文化转型事件,有利于在历史与现实的贯通中把握连续性与创造性的辩证统一,真正处理好继承与改造、守正与创新的关系。

Continuity is the primary and prominent characteristic of Chinese civilization, providing the historical pattern and standard righteousness for creativity. Creativity, in turn, gives continuous vitality to civilization, serving as the intrinsic driving force of the evolution of civilization. The rise of Neo-Confucianism is an iconic event in the transformation of Chinese thought and culture, which has exemplified the dialectical unity between continuity and creativity of Chinese civilization. Neo-Confucianism insisted on the tradition of classical interpretation, the core value of “benevolence” and the pursuit of the sage's way, which has reflected the historical continuity of Chinese civilization. Meanwhile, the new academic spirit of seeking truth and reason, the fresh intellectual atmosphere of questioning the classics and interpreting them with individual insight, and the novel academic characteristic of combining philosophical deliberation with social issues, have demonstrated the cultural creativity of Chinese civilization. Analyzing the defining characteristics of Chinese civilization alongside with the cultural transformation signified by the rise of Neo-Confucianism, could be helpful for us to understand the dialectical unity of continuity and creativity through the connection between history and present, and to effectively address the relationship between inheritance and reform, as well as preservation and innovation.