试析墨子比喻的类型及作用

On the Categories and Functions of Mohist Metaphors

墨子在谈辩中对比喻曾有灵活多变的运用。就整体而论,这些比喻可划分为同喻和异喻。其中,前者又可进一步划分为单喻、复喻和博喻,后者又可进一步划分为本体全异于喻体、本体弱于喻体和本体强于喻体。墨子谈辩中比喻的作用是多方面的,主要涉及阐释己见、驳斥论敌、催人省悟以及止事成义。

MoZi applied many metaphors very skilfully to the analysis and solution of problems in his debates. Generally speaking, these metaphors fell into 2 categories; the metaphors of the same kind and the metaphors of diferent kinds. The former could be divided into the single metaphors, the compound metaphors and the abundant metaphors. The latter could be divided into one thing that was totally different from another, one thing was weaker than another and one thing was stronger than another. The functions of Mohist metaphors involved explaining oneself, refuting other people, making others know something and stopping something to defend justice.