梁啟超對老子理解之商榷

The Discussion about the Understanding of Lao-tzu by Liang Chi-Chao

本論文旨在針對梁啟超對於《老子》之研究成果，作一深入的商榷。根據梁氏的理解，由於老子哲學從理論層面到實踐方法，處處隱含矛盾，因此他認為《老子》充其量不過是一堆矛盾主張之集合。首先，筆者即自梁氏對老子哲學的質疑切入，剖析其將老子視為一「極力詛咒文明者」，在理解上所產生的矛盾。其次，筆者將理解還原到其所處的時代背景以及梁氏個人的人生經歷後發現，對於中國命運的深切關懷實為形塑梁氏老子理解的根本原因。在此一關懷下，梁氏認為，老子哲學不但是反進化、守舊、自私的思想根源，更成為逃避時代問題的旁觀者之保護傘。職是之故，在梁氏心目中，老子思想乃是當時中國積弱不振的罪魁禍首。因此，在其對於老子思想批判的背後，實隱藏著梁氏改造國人因循不求進步心態之特殊目的。洞悉梁氏的特殊用心，也就瞭解造成梁氏對於《老子》種種曲解之根源。進而得以還老子和梁氏思想一個原貌。

This dissertation gives to-depth discussion aiming at the research results about “Lao-tzu” by Liang Chi-Chao. Based on Mr. Liang's understanding, there is contradictions hiding everywhere in Lao-tzu's philosophy from theoretic layer to practice methods, so he thinks that “Lao-tzu” is just a collection of a pile of contradictory views. First, the author will start from the questioning by Mr. Liang about Lao-tzu's philosophy; analyze the contradiction produced in understanding for regarding Lao-tzu as one “who gave every effort to curse civilization”. Secondly, the author will restore the understanding to his time background and also Mr. Liang's personal experience, then it is found that the deep care about the fate of China is actually the basic reason for Mr. Liang's understanding about Lao-tzu. For this kind of care, Mr. Liang thinks that Lao-tzu's philosophy not only is opposed to evolution, sticks to old ways, as the thinking source for selfishness, but also becomes the protection for onlookers who evades from the problems of the times then. Therefore, for Mr. Liang, Lao-tzu's views are actually the arch-criminal for the weakness of China at that time. Thus, behind the critique about Lao-tzu's thoughts, there is actually Mr. Liang's special purpose of transforming Chinese following old ways without aspiring after improvement. By understanding Mr. Liang's special purpose, then the reasons why Mr. Liang having misinterpreted “Lao-tzu” can be found out. Furthermore, the original face of Lao-tzu and Liang's thinking can be restored.