憎肇的假名論與指涉的不可測度說

Sengzhao's Theory of Provisional Designation (jiaming) and the Theory of the Inscrutability of Reference

本文旨於探究僧肇的語言哲學觀點。作者將說明僧肇語言觀的基礎乃是他的假名理論，此理論的內涵在於揭露語言與其指涉的不對當以及語言的功能與限制。作者分別從「名實無當」、「此彼莫定乎一名」與「語應無方」來論述僧肇的假名理論，發現其與蒯因之指涉的不可測度說具有理論的相似性。依據本文的結論，僧肇的假名理論乃基於《般若經》的空、無所得以及中觀哲學的二諦論而成立。在世俗諦上，僧肇仍然承認語言在約定脈絡的暫時語意。據此，僧肇的假名理論與指涉的不可測度說的理論相似性與差異性可從經驗論、自然主義以及行為主義的視角論之。此外，僧肇的假名理論亦適用在理解第一義諦的動態歷程，但此時的語言僅作為過渡的工具，當終極真理朗現，語言則須退居世俗諦，此乃僧肇所謂「真境無言」之意義。這也是僧肇假名理論與指涉的不可測度說的不同之處。

This paper is mainly an inquiry into Sengzhao's (Eastern Jin dynasty; 384-414 C.E.) point of view on language. I aim to illustrate that the basis of Sengzhao's philosophy of language is his theory of provisional designation (jiaming). According to this theory, language is not precisely correspondent with its referent- a fact which reveals both the function and limitations of language. I then elaborate on Sengzhao's theory of provisional designation from the discussions of ＂language is not correspondent with its referent (ming-shi-wu-dang),＂ ＂indeterminacy of a word (ci-bi-mo-ding-hu-yi-ming),＂ and ＂language should be indefinite (yu-ying-wu-fang)＂ and show that there is a theoretical similarity between Sengzhao's views and Quine's theory of the inscrutability of reference. I conclude by showing that the philosophical foundation of Sengzhao's theory of provisional designation is based on the two theories of emptiness and non-apprehension from the Prajñāpāramitā Sūtra, and the Mādhyamika theory of the two truths. Sengzhao recognizes the temporary meaning of language in a conventional context, accordingly, theoretical similarities and differences between Sengzhao's and Quine's views are that they both adopt empirical, naturalistic, and behaviorist perspectives on language. Furthermore, Sengzhao's theory of provisional designation has particular relevance to the dynamic process of gaining insight into ultimate truth. Since language functions only as a temporary transitional instrument, language is remaining on the level of conventional truth. The ultimate truth however, shows that ＂the true nature of all things is silent (zhen-jing-wu-yen).＂ This is the difference between Sengzhao's theory of provisional designation and Quine's theory of the inscrutability of reference.