「譬學」：論明清耶穌會士對西洋古典修辭學與中國「文」的傳統之貢獻

Abstract

明末以來，天主教耶穌會士大舉入華，成為中西交流史上的重要篇章。他們在華留下大量的宗教、科技與人文譯著。雖然我們熟悉的多為科學著作，過去的研究也主要集中於宗教和科技領域，但人文著作的量和內容同樣不容忽視。例如，明清時期耶穌會士高一志（1566–1640年）的〈西學〉（約1615年完成；乃1632年《童幼教育》中的一章）以及艾儒略（1582–1649年）的《西學凡》（1623年）就是最早介紹西方各種學科的代表作。耶穌會士在介紹人文學科時，也引入了大量的西方古典修辭學，如利瑪竇（1552–1610年）的《西國記法》（1596年）和高一志的《譬學》。本論文旨在延續前人的研究，深入探索高一志在《譬學》中參考的中西古典文獻，並討論「譬喻之學」和「修辭學」的引入對中國和歐洲「文」的傳統所帶來的影響，以及其在兩大文明交流中的作用。第一章審視了中國史上如何翻譯「修辭」這一概念，並探討西方古典修辭學與明清時期耶穌會士的傳教活動、文藝復興人文主義（Renaissance humanism）和中國傳統之間的關係。第二章深入探究耶穌會士在引入歐洲古典修辭學至中國時參考的西方文獻，特別是亞里士多德在修辭學和譬喻上的理論。第三章詳細分析《譬學》中的譬喻規則和十大類型，並取之以比較羅馬修辭學家的作品與文藝復興手冊式的修辭著作，揭示坤體良（Quintilian，約35–100年）的《演講術》（Institutio Oratoria）、《獻給赫倫尼》（Rhetorica ad Herennium，作者不明）以及南宋文人陳騤（1128–1203年）的《文則》可能是高一志的主要參考來源。第四章探討《譬學》受到的中國文獻的影響，結合高一志對譬喻的論述和中國古典的「引譬連類」概念，以呈現《譬學》中西文化交融的特性。第五章從翻譯學角度探討「翻譯」作為一種廣泛的媒介，考察西方知識如何透過耶穌會士轉化為中文，並提出耶穌會士在中國創新的「翻譯模式」。第六章重新審視耶穌會士提出的人文學科架構，指出他們將中國教育傳統與西方古典教育傳統融合，形成了明清時期中西交融的獨特人文學科框架。Rhetoric, traditionally seen as a Western discipline, is increasingly recognized as a global heritage. This dissertation explores the Jesuits' introduction of classical rhetoric to late imperial China, a crucial but under-explored moment in the intersection of Chinese and European literary traditions during the late sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Specifically, it addresses the research question: How did Alfonso Vagnone and other Jesuits in late imperial China metaphorically mediate Western classical rhetoric and the Chinese literary tradition of wen? The study begins with a historical and etymological examination of "rhetoric"in China, setting the stage by situating the Jesuit mission within the broader contexts of Renaissance humanism and the Chinese literary tradition. This introductory overview provides insights into how classical rhetoric was introduced to Ming-Qing literati and tracks the evolution of Chinese rhetorical terminology, laying the groundwork for addressing the central research question.With this context established, the dissertation surveys Western classical sources that influenced the Jesuits' presentation of rhetoric and metaphor in China, focusing particularly on Aristotle. This analysis demonstrates how Aristotelian thought shaped the Jesuits' approach to metaphor and underscores its significance in the successful mediation of Western rhetoric for a Chinese audience. The core analysis centers on Alfonso Vagnone's Pixue (Study of Comparison, 1633), comparing it with Roman and Chinese works on rhetoric. Quintilian's Institutio Oratoria emerges as a key source for Vagnone's rules onmetaphor, alongside Rhetorica ad Herennium and Chen Kui's Wenze (The Rules of Writing) from the Song dynasty, which influence his typology of ten metaphors. Notably, Vagnone integrates the moral and ethical dimensions emphasized by Quintilian's focus on virtuous rhetoric, which resonate with the Confucian emphasis on cultivation. This integration underscores how these values shaped Vagnone's rhetorical approach, reflecting his commitment to humanist themes. By harmonizing Western rhetorical principles with Chinese Confucian ideals of propriety and moral rectitude, Vagnone not only enriches both traditions but also promotes a form of metaphor that is intellectually rigorous, ethically grounded, and reflective of Christian humanism.Further exploration delves into other Chinese influences on Pixue, linking Vagnone's model to ancient Chinese conceptual theories of association. By comparing Aristotelian and pre-Qin rhetorical traditions, this research reveals connections between Western thought and Chinese oral persuasion, indicating that Vagnone's model is deeply rooted in ancient Chinese conceptual dimensions of metaphor. Shifting to a translation studies perspective, the dissertation examines how Western knowledge was "translated" into Chinese, contrasting Jesuit translation practices with those of Buddhist enterprises. It proposes a novel Jesuit-Chinese translation model that broadens the concept of"translation" to include metaphor as a process of change and transformation. Building on these findings, this dissertation reevaluates the Jesuits' contributions to the study of rhetoric, proposing a new framework that merges Chinese and Western traditions. It illustrates how the Jesuits introduced new forms of knowledge through the rhetorical tradition of metaphor, transforming and reshaping the understanding of rhetoric and intercultural exchange. By investigating the Jesuits' role in shapingintercultural rhetoric, this research aims to pave the way for future studies on the impact of Western doctrines on Chinese thought, education, culture, and literary traditions, reflecting the broader movement of Christian humanism that sought to harmonize classical learning with Christian values.