论爱默生与老子之"道"

美国超验主义的创始人爱默生与古代中国圣人老子的宇宙观和人生观存在着惊人的相通或相似之处。前者认为＂超灵＂是万物的发端与归宿,人类应当崇俭抑奢,依赖直觉,回归自然,从而获得精神的圆满;后者则认为＂道法自然＂,人类需＂复归于朴＂,＂涤除玄鉴＂,通过＂直觉＂洞察和体悟＂道＂的最高境界。爱默生视自己为美国社会精神和道德种子的播种者,他之所以关注东方哲学思想,主要是为了借助东方而重新找回西方。

The "Tao" of Emerson and Lao Zi

The outlooks on the universe and life by Ralph Waldo Emerson,the key originator of American Transcendentalism in the 1840s,remarkably parallel those of Lao Zi,the sage of ancient China.In the eyes of Emerson,Over-Soul is the origin and destination of all beings;therefore,to attain spiritual perfection, human beings should lead a frugal and simple life,rely on their own intuition and return to Nature.In contrast,Lao Zi thinks that Tao is the law of Nature and advocates that the way to experience the supreme state of ＂Tao＂ lies in the enlightenment of one＇s inner vision,which can be achieved by returning to simplicity and using the power of intuition.Emerson regards himself as the sower of American spirit and ethics.His interest in oriental philosophy is mainly attributable to his intent to refind the West with the inspiration from the East.