略論中國古代思想中的“上下”

A Discussion of Upward and Downward in Ancient Thought

“上下” 是古代文獻中常見的用詞, 如 “形而上” 和 “形而下” 是分別道和器的重要概念. 然而, “上下” 一般被認為是語言的習慣表達, 只是提示區別, 並無特別用意. 本文認為, “上下” 其實來自于古人以氣為存在本原的思想, 而氣並非本體, 而是指形如氣一樣的變動. “上下” 還可以指示天地、幽明、人鬼、尊卑等世界諸面向的邊際, 都反映了中國思想以變動為本根的特徵.

The word “Upward and Downward” 上下 is common in the ancient literature, such as “before forming” 形而上 and “after forming” 形而下, is important to distinguish between the concept of Dao 道 and Qi 器. However, the two words were generally considered to be the usage to express the difference as an attached character. This article pointed that Upward and downward originated from the qi-centered discourse, in which the Qi is not the entity, but describing the transformation. It can also indicate the marginal of Tian-di 天地, Bright-darkness 幽明, Linving-Ghost 人鬼, Noble and humble 尊卑, are all thought to reflect the changes in China-based root characteristics.