啟蒙如何運動：近代中國「啟蒙運動」的概念史

Abstract

本研究旨在探究「啟蒙運動」在近代中國的翻譯、挪用以及實踐的過程。在內容上將究心以下三端。其一，「啟蒙運動」這個詞彙翻譯語意變遷的考察。從歷史變遷的角度，探究這個詞彙如何在近代中國的社會中，透過翻譯、創造和轉借等方式，對應於西方現代概念的詞彙系統，逐漸發展出現今為人所習知通用的「啟蒙運動」譯法。其二，處理「啟蒙運動」作為概念工具的詞彙史考察。「啟蒙運動」如何成為時人面對過去�現實的認知概念，以及從事歷史書寫的導引，同時也是歷史的產物。亦即，近代中國的知識人如何挪用「啟蒙運動」，面對身處的現實情境、未來的想像，進行表述。最後，本文將以教科書和辭典、百科全書這三種知識普及性的文本，略探「啟蒙運動」在這些文本中是位處哪種類別，底下的描述與闡釋又是何種情況。

This research would examine how the Western concept of the “Enlightenment” has been absorbed and appropriated in modern China, and how this concept has in turn been transformed into an internal intellectual resource. This research could be divided into three parts. First, I would explore the changes in the semantics of translations of the term “Enlightenment.” Here, I look at new meanings or different translations of terms associated with the “Enlightenment” were created through the medium of the translations produced by different historical actors. Second, my research examines the lexical history of the use of the “Enlightenment” as a “conceptual apparatus” by Chinese intellectuals, as well as the meaning and concern for reality embedded in this term. As a conceptual apparatus to a certain historical phenomenon or historical narrative, the term “Enlightenment” not only act as a signifier, but also act as a form of language used to express certain concepts. Third, my research would examine the “Enlightenment” as an aspect of historical writing and practice in textbooks, dictionaries and encyclopedias during the period of late Qing and Republican China. To some extent, these texts could reflect the achievements of popularized historical knowledge and could represent the comprehensive results of scholarly works.