如何既預認天理又保持開放？——朱子讀書窮理之教的啟示

How to Maintain Openness While Recognizing the Heavenly Principle? – Inspiration from Zhu Xi's Theory of Probing Principle through Canon Study

本文試圖揭示朱子讀書窮理之教所蘊藏的「開放」性格（「開放」意謂「非獨斷」和「可修正」），藉以構思一套「既預認天理而又保持開放」的理論模型。第一節說明本文的主題、基本術語的涵義及研究的取向。第二節通過三個部分來剖示讀書窮理之教的開放性格：「理在書中：尋索天理在於解讀經書」、「詮解經書不可獨斷：尋索天理是一門群策群力的集體事業」、「經書詮解永可修正：尋索天理是一項永不止息的工作」。第三節論證在文明對話的實踐上，承認一個「內容不明的天理」，是一項有利的預設——既能照顧對於客觀性的意願（假定我們有此意願），又能保有「非獨斷」和「可修正」的開放性。

This paper tries to explore the implicit characteristic of openness in Zhu Xi's theory of probing principle through studying canon. “Open” here is understood as “non-dogmatic” and “revisable”. We can thus conceive a model of “maintaining openness while recognizing the heavenly principle.” The first section explains the paper's theme and approach, and also defines certain crucial terms. The second section which aims at analyzing the openness of Zhu Xi's theory is divided into three parts: (1) Principle in canons: canon study as the way of searching the heavenly principle, (2) A non-dogmatic way to understand canons: the search of the heavenly principle is a joint effort, (3) The interpretation of the canons should always be revisable: the search of the heavenly principle is endless”. The third section is on the modern implication of Zhu Xi's theory. It argues that it would be beneficial to a cross-cultural dialogue if the interlocutors recognize a “heavenly principle (i.e. the absolute) without definite formulation.” It may satisfy our need for objectivity while maintaining the openness.