關於「老子」之雌性比喻的詮釋問題

On Interpretations of the Female Metaphors in the Laozi

關於〈老子〉中的雌性比喻，最流行的觀點以李約瑟為代表，認為〈老子〉思想來源於上古的母系社會以及所謂的女性生鐘崇拜。另一種觀點是安樂哲的獨特解讀，強調〈老子〉的雌性比喻並非強調雌性特點，而是提倡雌雄一體、陰陽和諧。本文主張〈老子〉的雌性比喻是文化象徵符號，既不應把它們簡化或歸約為男女問題，也不應否認這些比喻的性別暗示和喻意。由此出發，老子哲學可能對現代的女性主義運動提出重要的啟示或挑戰，比如，如何評價傳統社會的女性特點，如何糾正男權社會的弊端，如何建立女性主義的本體論。最後，本文以此為例，探討如何判別一種詮釋的高低好壞，如何體現理解、詮釋以及應用的一致性，以及如何看待詮釋過程中的兩種定向的問題。The popular interpretation of the female metaphors in the Laozi claims that the thought of the Laozi must have a connection with archaic matriarchal elements and the worship of female reproductivity in primitive tribal societies. An alternative, unique theory argues that the female metaphors in the Laozi advocate an androgynous ideal rather than femininity. This article interprets Laozi's female metaphors as cultural symbolism, instead of as simply treating problems of the relationship between men and women. These cultural symbols, inspired by female features and implying the principle of femininity, are used to promote Daoist theories. As cultural symbols, the female metaphors suggest Daoist principles such as non-action and naturalness. To modern societies and the feminist movement, Laozi's principle of femininity may contribute inspiration and even challenges. For example, are soft, yielding, obedient, and tolerant qualities, traditionally attributed to women, necessarily negative, ought to be abandoned? Must modern women take male values and behavior as their own in order to realize emancipation? Is it possible to build a female ontological theory with the wisdom of Laozi's philosophy? As for hermeneutical theories and practices, this article argues that there should be a relative standard to evaluate any elucidation to prevent arbitrary and willful interpretations. The article explores the significance and possibilities of the coherence and combination of understanding, interpretation, and implication according to philosophical hermeneutics. It is also observed that there are two interpretive directions in the Chinese hermeneutical tradition: one is to reveal the meaning of texts, and the other to build a new system of thought inspired by the text. They are not always in harmony.