論胡適對自然主義的挪用：兼論「反向格義」的源起與迷思

On Hu Shi’s Appropriation of Naturalism with Discussions on the Origin and Myth of “Reverse Geyi”

胡適《中國哲學史大綱》公認是「中國哲學」此一現代學科的開山之作，不少學者甚至以為近年引起熱烈討論的「反向格義」也是源自此書所用的方法。所謂反向格義，主要指當代的中國哲學研究借助西方哲學的概念體系和理論框架闡明中國固有材料的情況。一些學者認為這是無可避免的事，另一些學者則擔心中國的哲學典籍和概念會因此而被曲解。經過十多年的討論，這場爭議亦應進入總結的時候。
鑒於胡適向被視為是反向格義的先導人物，本文以「自然主義」為案例，考察胡適引介西方哲學觀念的理念和方法。選擇自然主義，主要是因為這個觀念頻繁地出現在胡適不同時期的著作中，具有相當重要的位置。此外他借用自然主義闡釋中國哲學的做法至今仍有一定的影響，正可藉此窺測反向格義的源起、作用與出路。文章首先從學術史的角度闡明胡適與反向格義的關係，繼而探討胡適挪用「自然主義」的方式，以及由此衍生出來的意義變化，由是消解反向格義引發的種種迷思。

Hu Shi's Outline of the History of Chinese Philosophy is widely recognized to be the paradigmatic work in the construction of Chinese philosophy as a modern discipline. Many scholars even suppose that the the recently hotly debated notion of “Reverse Geyi'' (analogical interpretation) originated in the method used in this book. The so-called “Reverse Geyi” method primarily refers to the fact that contemporary Chinese philosophical research has to draw on the conceptual system and theoretical framework of Western philosophy so as to help elucidate the original materials of Chinese philosophy. Some scholars suggest that this is inevitable, while others worry that the philosophical texts and concepts of China will then be misinterpreted. After more than a decade of discussion, it is time to make a conclusion regarding this controversy.
Since Hu Shi is considered a pioneer in using the “Reverse Geyi” method, this paper investigates the rationale and method which Hu adopted in his introduction of Western philosophical concepts, taking the concept of “naturalism” as a case study to do so. Naturalism has been chosen mainly because it plays an extraordinary important role in Hu Shi's body of work, occurring frequently in Hu Shi's writings at different historical time periods. In addition, Hu’s application of naturalism to explain Chinese philosophy is still influential today. As such, through his use of this concept we can glimpse the origin, function, and path forward for the “Reverse Geyi” method. The article first investigates, from the perspective of intellectual history, the relationship between Hu Shi and “Reverse Geyi.” It then goes on to examine Hu Shi's appropriation of “naturalism” and the resulting changes brought to the meaning of this concept. It doing so, the paper dispels the various myths generated by “Reverse Geyi.”