名学方法与经学重估——中国哲学史书写的当代转进
作者简介:苟东锋,华东师范大学中国现代思想文化研究所暨哲学系教授(上海 200433)。
基金项目:
本文为教育部哲学社会科学研究重大专项项目“中国哲学学科的建立及理论体系的建构”(2025JZDZ067)的阶段性成果
摘要: 在现代中国学术体系中,中国哲学史这门学科的建立是一个“去经学化”的过程。然而近年来的诸多学术迹象表明,当代中国哲学的发展正走向一个新的关隘,欲叩此关,需要重估经学。正确评价经学的关键在于确定儒家经典与经学产生和运行的底层逻辑。随着近年来名学研究的复兴,由严复和胡适当年敏锐洞见到的“名学方法”重新浮出水面。从名学出发既可以理解儒家何以重视经典,又能够见证经学发生的过程。进一步说,通过考察儒家之“名”的具体含义可以揭橥经典和经学的特质:一方面,就“名”的基本义是汉字而言,可以深入理解儒家经典的书写和诠释特点;另一方面,就“名”的根本义是价值理想而言,更能够在实质层面评定经学的价值及其限度。照此理解,经学就纳入名学,由此将在一定意义上推动中国哲学史书写的当代转进。
The Methodology of Mingxue and the Reassessment of Jingxue——The Contemporary Advancement in Writing the History of Chinese Philosophy
Abstract: The establishment of the discipline of the History of Chinese Philosophy within modern Chinese academia has been a process of “ de-classicization ”.However,recent scholarly trends indicate that the development of contemporary Chinese philosophy is approaching a new critical juncture.To navigate this juncture,a reassessment of Jingxue (“经学”,Classical Studies) is imperative.The key to properly evaluating Jingxue lies in identifying the underlying logic governing the emergence and operation of Confucian classics and classical scholarship.This foundational logic is rooted in Mingxue (“名学”,the study of names/logic),a methodological approach insightfully recognized by Yan Fu and Hu Shi as central to modern Chinese philosophical historiography.Starting from Mingxue,we can not only comprehend why Confucianism prioritizes classics but also witness the genesis of Jingxue.Furthermore,by examining the specific connotations of Confucian “names”(“名”,ming),we can unveil the distinctive characteristics of classics and classical scholarship.On one hand,the basic meaning of ming as “written characters” allows us to deeply understand the textual composition and hermeneutic features of Confucian classics.On the other hand,the fundamental meaning of ming as “value ideals” enables a substantive evaluation of the merits and limitations of Jingxue.Through this interpretive framework,Jingxue becomes integrated into Mingxue,thereby advancing the contemporary writing of the History of Chinese Philosophy in significant ways.