王船山的歷史觀：從目的論觀點的討論

Abstract

本論文旨在討論王船山的歷史觀，並且是從康德學意義下的「目的論」觀點進行研究，分析船山對於「歷史是甚麼」的看法，探討他有關「歷史有何意義」 ; 「歷史是否朝一個最終目的發展」等問題的學說。本文釐清船山的「歷史」概念，並從歷史之「勢」與「理」論船山所理解的歷史中的「涵義」之性質，再說明船山如何在歷史中引入「目的論」的理念。結論則對船山歷史觀理論中的問題，略做討論。

This paper aims to discuss the historical perspective of Wang Chuan-Shan and study the topic from the viewpoint of teleology contained in Kant`s The Critique of Judgment. It analyzes Wang`s views on ＂the definition of history＂ and explores Wang`s theories on these issues: ＂what is the meaning of history?＂ and ＂does history develop towards an ultimate objective?＂ The paper attempts to clarify Wang`s concept of history and to unfold the nature of the meaning of history that Wang understands through the concepts of ＂shi＂ (historical trend) as well as ＂li＂ (pattern-principle)＂ in history. Basing on the above analysis, it explains how Wang introduces the idea of teleology to history. In the conclusion, the paper briefly discusses some of the theoretical problems in Wang`s historical perspective.