“心”之性质、类型与特点——中国哲学的读解与赋义

Nature, types and characteristics of the heart: an interpretation in the Chinese philosophy

中国哲学对于“心”之性质、“心”之类型、“心”之特点等都进行过广泛且深入的讨论。关于“心”之性质,中国哲学中主要表现为三种指认,即善之心、恶之心、兼善恶之心;关于“心”之类型,中国哲学中主要表现为四种界定,即认知心、情绪心、思维心和意志心;关于“心”之特点,中国哲学主要论及了无形无臭、无影无踪、变幻莫测、虚明可鉴等四种表现。这些判断展示了中国哲学对于“心”认识的广度和深度。尤为值得注意的是,中国哲学关于“心”的讨论,透显了中国哲学的精神:“心”之善的判断,是为了弘扬良善,“心”之恶的判断,是为了清除邪恶,从而表现出伦理关怀;其对“心”类型的界定,则表现出对“心”的本质与特性的求解及其水平,从而折射出科学探索精神;其对“心”特点的解释,不仅为“心”去恶趋善指明了方向,而且显示了“心”的人民性价值取向,因为“心”的圆融无碍意味着升华、富裕百姓生命而与民心贯通。

In the Chinese philosophy, discussions about the heart are in-depth and comprehensive. Regarding the nature of the heart, its representations are threefold: the heart of goodness, the heart of evil and the heart embracing both goodness and evil. Concerning the types of the heart, Chinese philosophy mainly defines four types: cognitive heart, emotional heart, thinking heart and volitional heart. As for the characteristics of the heart, Chinese philosophy primarily focuses on four manifestations: formless and odorless, traceless and shadowless, unpredictable, and perceptible in emptiness and clarity. Notably, these discussions fully reveal the spirit of Chinese philosophy. Judgments about the goodness of heart aim to promote goodness, while those about the evil of the heart seek to eliminate wickedness, thus reflecting ethical concern. The definition of heart types demonstrates the quest for the essence and nature of the heart and its level, embodying a spirit of scientific inquiry. The explanation of the characteristics of the heart not only points the way for the heart to move from evil to good but also demonstrates the people-centered value orientation of the heart. This is because an unobstructed and harmonious heart implies the resonation with the aspirations of the people by elevating and enriching people’s lives.