异而之一: 早期中国哲学的 “同” 观念

Difference to One The Concept of Tong in Early China

摘要:

“同” 及其相关概念, 如 “大同” “玄同”, 在中国哲学的发展中具有重要意义。 然而, “同” 很少受到学界的关注。 “同” 也普遍被理解为 “相同” 或 “同一”。 基于 《墨经》 的定义, 我们可对 “同” 形成一个新的理解, 即 “异而之一”。 这种理解能从语源学和文本证据中得到支持。 “异而之一” 不仅代表 墨家对 “同” 的理解, 而且反映了先秦不同思想流派对 “同” 的共同立场。 同时, “异而之一” 为理解 “同” 概念提供了崭新视角, 也为进一步研究 “同” 及其相关概念奠定了坚实基础。

Abstract:

Tong 同 and its associated concepts such as datong( great tong 大同) and( xuantong mystic or dark tong 玄同), have played significant roles in the development of Chinese philosophy. Yet the concept of tong has received little attention from either western or eastern scholarships. Tong is also widely understood as _"sameness_" or _"unity_". Based on a definition of this concept in The Mohist Canon ,we can reach a new understanding of it that is _" difference to one_" . This understanding can be supported from etymological and textual evidence. _"Difference to one_" should not be solely attributed to a Mohist understanding it does represent a common understanding across philosophical streams in early China. _"Difference to one_" provides new insights into the concept of tong in early philosophical texts breaking new ground for further studies of tong and its associated concepts.