Goblet Words and Indeterminacy： A Writing Style that Is Free of Commitment

作     者：Wai Wai Chiu 

作者机构：Department of Philosophy Lingnan University Hong Kong China 

出 版 物：《Frontiers of Philosophy in China》 (中国哲学前沿（英文版）)

年 卷 期：2015年第10卷第2期

页      面：255-272页

学科分类：12[管理学] 07[理学] 08[工学] 071102[理学-系统分析与集成] 0711[理学-系统科学] 0832[工学-食品科学与工程（可授工学、农学学位）] 120203[管理学-旅游管理] 0101[哲学-哲学] 1202[管理学-工商管理] 081101[工学-控制理论与控制工程] 0712[理学-科学技术史(分学科，可授理学、工学、农学、医学学位)] 0811[工学-控制科学与工程] 081103[工学-系统工程] 

主　　题：Zhuangzi language writing style goblet words 

摘      要：The Zhuangzi is a collection of ancient Chinese anecdotes and fables that serves as a foundational Daoist text. The style in which it is written is significant because it obscures rather than reveals the text＇s philosophic positions. If the text cannot be translated into plain language while preserving its content, as the Mozi or the Mencius generally can be, then the writing style is not merely rhetorical. The style is itself indispensable to the content. In this study, I analyse a linguistic device mentioned in the Zhuangzi and use it to reflect the text＇s wn＇ting style——namely, ＂goblet words＂ （zhi yan 巵言）. I argue that various logical forms of goblet words defy the act of fixing a definite answer in any conceptual distinction or disputation. The forms, which include dilemmatic questions, oxymora and double denial, all serve to preserve indeterminacy. Reading goblet words may affect readers by making them more open-minded towards distinctions. However, readers cannot ascertain that the text＇s authors produced this effect intentionally. Therefore, the text may cause readers to be open-minded while the authors remain free of commitment.