漢學與宋學之爭,實迄于清代。漢學擅考據,宋學精義理,各有所長。宋學與漢學是經典研究中追尋意義的兩種方法,兩者都力求揭示蘊含在經典文本中的義理。漢學重訓詁不僅有助于思想史的還原,還可以提供一條不同于宋學的探索義理之路。按照章太炎的語言緣起說,訓詁具有解蔽見道之功用,是治學之基本功。借助訓詁展開的哲學史探尋,不僅能發揮解構形上學的作用,而且對哲學有深耕力作之功,從而使觀念的圖景不斷充實與整合。在中國哲學史上,漢學是借助字義澄清義理,宋學是透過語義構思義理;漢學是對思想源頭的挖掘,宋學則是思想景觀的構筑。總結清代漢學的哲學遺產,絕非主張退回傳統的訓詁學領域,更非在漢宋之爭中為一方搖旗吶喊,而是在展望中國哲學的發展前景時回望傳統的一個必要環節。

The contest between Han learning(hanxue)and Song learning(songxue) actually ended in the Qing Dynasty.The former was strong on textual research,while the latter’s expertise lay in examination of implications,so each had its strong points.As two research strategies for pursuing the meaning of the classics,both sought to reveal the meaning contained in the classical texts.Han learning’s emphasis on exegesis not only helps to trace the sources of intellectual history,but also provides an approach to the exploration of meaning that differs from that of the Song learning.According to Zhang Taiyan’s explanation of the origin of language,semantic exegesis functions to illuminate obscurity and reveal the Dao,and is thus a basic skill for the conduct of research.Explorations of the history of philosophy that draw on semantic exegesis not only serve to deconstruct metaphysics,but also contribute to in-depth philosophical research,thus continuously enriching and integrating conceptual schema.In the history of Chinese philosophy,Han learning drew on the meaning of words to clarify the sense,whereas Song learning used semantics to develop the sense.Thus Han learning unearthed the sources of thought,while Song learning constructed an intellectual landscape.Summing up the philosophical heritage of Qing dynasty Han learning definitely does not mean returning to traditional semantic exegesis,nor does it call for taking sides in the dispute between Han and Song learning;instead,it is a necessary link enabling us to look back at the tradition as we look forward to the developmental prospects of Chinese philosophy.