作为中国哲学关键词的“道”

“Tao”: Keyword of Chinese Philosophy

'道'从楷、隶到金文、甲骨文,其字形透出四义——道路、行道、引导、言导,形上之道正是从这四义中显出。道起源于远古立杆测影的观天活动,一方面从日月星的运转总结出灵在道中、神在道中,以及由北辰引道的宇宙运动,另一方面从巫在观天仪式和依天而行的地上仪式中显示了巫在道中和王在道中的政治规律。道的这一起源时的内容和特征,后来逐渐趋于理性化,形成了中国哲学之道的根本特点——形上的本体之道与运行的现象之道的统一。

'Tao',from its Regular scrip,Clerical scrip to Bronze inscriptions and oracle bone inscriptions,comprehensively shows the four meanings of path,practice,guidance and instruction which highlight the Metaphysical principle.Tao originated from the ancient sky-watching activities by measuring shadows of a pole,that is,pole photography.On the one hand,from the operation of the sun,moon and stars,it realizes the spirit in Tao and the God in Tao,and concludes the cosmic movement led by the Polaris.On the other hand,from the sky-watching activities and cult ritual done by the witch,it shows the political rules of the witchcraft in Tao and the kingcraft in Tao.The content and characteristics of Tao from its origin gradually become rationalized,forming the fundamental characteristics of Chinese philosophy which mainly include the unity of the metaphysical noumenon and the operational phenomenon.