历史比较初论:比较研究的一般逻辑

当代西方分析哲学与科学哲学思想中有关“不可公度性”的讨论,为我们深入探究历史比较的理论根基提供了参照。历史比较必须遵循一般比较研究的逻辑:比较是不可公度性与可公度性的统一;比较研究中,不能由比较对象之间局部要素的可公度性推导出整体的可公度性;比较对象的可公度性与不可公度性随着比较者设定的比较范围或概念层次而变化;没有比较就没有认识;事物的本质并非完全外在于比较者的客观存在,它同时也有赖于比较者的理论构想;比较研究意在形成新的认同,而在比较研究中保持差异是比较研究成为一种创造性活动的源泉。

General Logic in Comparative Studies

The theory of "Incommensurability" in western analytic philosophy and science philosophy could be adopted as a theoretical reference for historic comparison, the latter of which must therefore follow the logic of general comparative study. The present paper makes explications of the general logic of comparative study. These include that (i) comparison is a unification of the principles of incommensurability and commensurability; (ii) the holistic commensurability should not be deduced from that of the local elements of the compared phenomena; (iii) the commensurability and incommensurability of the compared objects may change with the comparative scope or conceptual levels set out by the comparatist; (iv) there would be no knowledge without comparison; (v) the essence of things does not lie completely in the objective existence of the comparatist, it also depends on his theoretical construct; (vi) comparative study is meant to give rise to new identity, and differences in comparison are an origin of creative activities.