第九卷第一期     中華民國九十三年三月十五日   March  2004

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傅佩榮教授專訪        → English Edition


             開啟生命智慧的導師         

     
─ 傅佩榮教授專訪

▲傅教授(中)與採訪記者袁則安(右)、盧卓民合照

◎傅佩榮教授小檔案

傅佩榮教授,一九五○年生,輔仁大學哲學系、台灣大學哲學研究所畢業,美國耶魯大學哲學博士,曾任台灣大學哲學系主任兼哲學研究所所長,比利時魯汶大學、荷蘭萊頓大學講座,現任台灣大學哲學系教授。傅教授教學深受學生歡迎,曾獲頒教育部教學特優獎、大學生社團推薦最優通識課程、《
民生報》評選校園熱門教授等獎項,另外在學術研究、寫作、演講等方面皆有卓越成就。作品深入淺出,擅長說理,範圍涵蓋哲學研究與入門、人生哲理、心理勵志等。著有:《釐清自我的真相》、《
管理自我的潛能》、《探索生命的價值》、《走向智慧的高峰》、《轉進人生頂峰》、《活出自己的智慧》、《論語解讀》、《莊子解讀》、《那一年我在萊頓》等八十餘本。

 

◎高二一班 袁則安

在獲知此次專訪的對象是哲學大師傅佩榮教授時,內心誠惶誠恐,因為對我而言,哲學是一門高深的學問領域,既陌生也未曾涉獵過。然而在閱讀了有關於傅教授的個人介紹及所撰述的許多文章之後,似乎對「哲學」也有了一些粗淺的認識了。借用傅教授的說法,「哲學」作為一門學問,就是一種生活態度,一種保持好奇的天性,探詢一切事物的真相。

如今已成為知名哲學教授的傅教授,幼年時也經歷了慘痛的成長經驗。小學三年級時,因為頑皮學別人口吃,自己竟也口吃了起來。在受人嘲弄而感到非常痛苦之下,產生了強烈的自卑感。但他卻能突破困境,反而努力用功讀書,使成績一直名列前茅。或許是因為這樣的轉折,因禍得福反讓成長中的傅教授毅力過人,並且擅以「同理心」與人交往、互動,一路努力不懈的使自己從昔日的「口吃患者」變成今日的「激勵高手」,絕非偶然而成。

傅教授的「認識自己」的觀念,最是令人佩服。因為一個人如果找到自我的定位,知道自己有何條件以及能做什麼、該做什麼、想做什麼,就能時時調整、充實自己,以便有能力來應付各種挑戰。另外,教授亦提到,一個人最該學習的不只是向上攀登的勇氣,而是擁有面對逆境的轉彎智慧;人不只是具備了不同的學習智商,更應藉由努力將情緒智商及逆境智商向上提升,建立積極的生活態度,滿懷信心的朝理想邁進。

採訪小組經過審慎討論後,擬出了訪問題綱並順利完成了此次專訪。由於傅教授教學十分忙碌,專訪係於教授於十二月十三日週六,蒞臨本校授課『人生管理課程-閱讀《老子》』之後,於國文科專任教室進行的。在訪談過程當中,傅教授諄諄善誘、知無不言的就所提問題深入淺出的表達既專業又實際的看法與建議,期望各位同學在看完專訪之後,對個人所面臨的許多人生問題及困境,能夠「
換個角度」繼而「轉變心情」來面對,這樣觀念一轉而把問題與困境視為一種轉機,生命也將隨之變得積極、快樂而更有意義了。

 

以下是專訪內容摘要:

對一般人(包括我們學生)來說,「哲學」一直是一門比較莫測高深的學問,請問您是在何種原因或驅動力之下,走向鑽研哲學這門領域的?

在圖書館裡面你會發現編號0的是圖書、工具書、百科全書類,編號1的則是哲學類書籍,西方的
傳統中把哲學當作是任何學科的基礎,幫助人對人生有全盤瞭解,它是具有整合性的。由於我從小家中的宗教信仰是天主教,小時候常聽一些聖經故事,知道人活在世界上最後會面對許多的挑戰,包括死亡、審判、天堂、地獄等等,覺得應該要很嚴肅的面對這些問題。高中畢業後,就報考輔仁大學哲學系,一方面是因為輔仁大學是天主教會辦的大學,而且也想從認識哲學來探討人生意義的種種問題
。這大致是我選擇修習哲學這門領域的背景。 

您能否以我們中學生理解的程度,談一談什麼是「哲學」?古今中外您最喜歡或佩服哪一位哲學家?為什麼?

哲學在西方叫做「愛好智慧」,也就是說人活在世界上,對於所有經驗上發生的事情,都要設法去理解,理解了之後就設法找到一條正確的路去走。一般人會從過去的經驗、教訓來學習,或是從前輩聽到一些話來安排生活方式。哲學則不僅於此,是要個人經過思考才抉擇出一條路來走的。哲學是一種長期、開放的活動,要讓自己的一生過得比較充實有意義,不但要讓自己走向智慧,還要能接觸到最後的真實。世間的事情不斷在變化中,不真實也不可靠,使人產生不安全、不安定的感覺。哲學能夠突破這樣的困境,讓自己知道人生當中什麼是不變的,什麼是真實的,這也多少涉及了個人的信仰或個人的信念。哲學是要靠實踐來配合的,你對「真實」有了瞭解、看法之後,生活行為就會有特定的表現、特定的堅持及特定的風格,別人也將會發現你所堅持的是有理由的,也就是說,哲學是靠行動去驗證你所瞭解的真實。

我所喜歡的哲學家在西方是蘇格拉底,因為他的哲學能與生活配合起來。他所相信、理解的各種道理,在生活中都能夠實踐出來。例如我們現在清楚知道蘇格拉底的哲學方法就是不斷的提出問題,不斷的追尋所有事情的真實意義,這個過程是生命中很重要的部分。不盲目的接受教條、權威,不因人多而去遵從多數的意見,自己相信了什麼之後,才去堅持你的生活模式。至於中國的哲學家最欣賞的自然是孔子,為什麼特別佩服他呢?因為他本身的生活經驗就是一種成長過程。例如他在年過七十歲所寫的回憶,說「吾十有五而志於學,三十而立,四十而不惑,五十而知天命,六十而耳順,七十而從心所欲不踰矩。」孔子的一生就像是爬樓梯一般,是一種向上提昇、自強不息的人生觀,我們讀論語便能懂得這個道理。孔子被後世尊為一位偉大的哲學家、教育家,他確實是具有特色、十分了不起的。

對於生命中生、老、病、死的歷程,您如何以哲學的觀點或角度來看待?

生老病死的問題是人生的必經之路,對於每個人都會經歷的事情,我們就不要賦予它太多的情緒
。比如說我現在老了覺得很難過,但是你只要活著就會老的,這是一個自然的過程,不用有太多的情緒。我們要瞭解人生每個階段都有它特殊的地方,老年有老年的優點,也有老年人的美感。生病的時候,才能體會到生命有什麼特別的地方。有時候在生病時你才發現誰是真正的朋友,因為朋友關心你呀!生病時才發現自己所追求的東西很可能超過你應該去追求的,所以才忽略了身體健康。生病的時候才知道人生最後是會結束的,就會更加珍惜人與人之間相處的情感。以上都是生病時才能體會到的
。死亡也沒什麼好懼怕的,因為它是一定要經過的。死亡就好像是一個界線,這個界線使你這一生每一次所做的選擇都會是一個很重要的選擇。如果人生沒有死亡的話,你何必選擇呢?反正最後輪也會輪到你的嘛!因為有死亡,你所做的選擇就必須有捨才有得。你必須仔細的考慮,這樣就使得人生出現了一種緊張性。有這種緊張性之後你得到什麼樣的價值,你才會有成就感。如果沒有這種緊張性,大家都靠運氣,那人生實在不堪設想。所以對於生老病死的問題,實在沒有必要去擔心的。

能否請您談一談「學習哲學」,對我們中學生的重要性?在未來進入社會中,面對多樣化的人與事,「哲學」又能如何幫助人我之間彼此互動和諧?

中學階段學習哲學的目的就是要「練習思考」。一個人的思考從最簡單的事情開始,用什麼角度來看每天發生的事情,就是一種哲學思考。哲學的思考有二種特性,「追求完整」和「追求根本」,都是愛好智慧的表現。「追求完整」就是看事情不要有偏見,要多方面的去瞭解前因後果,把個人的好惡情緒及反應拋開,這就是一種理性的思考。而「追求根本」就是人生有些事是重要的,有些事是次要的,一定要清楚分別。譬如考試作弊會拿高分,或者是同學都作弊,如果你能夠堅持自我的原則不作弊,這就是一種根本,是很重要的。要掌握人生中什麼是完整的,什麼是根本的,你為什麼而活,並且碰到任何事情你要有你的堅持。

在未來進入社會時,人我之間的互動方面,從儒家思想可以找到很好的答案。與人相處要注意三點,「內心感受」、「對方期許」及「社會規範」。「內心感受」就是與任何人來往都要真誠,不要勾心鬥角,那是沒有意義的。「對方期許」就是要相互溝通,瞭解對方的需要,以及你能做些什麼。「社會規範」則是說任何團體都是有它的規則的,一定要按照規則去做,這樣秩序才會穩定。依此三點儒家思想去做的話,你的做人處世比較不容易失敗。談到人際關係方面,一個人不可能去討好每一個人的,但是對於特定的對象,像是老闆和同事,你就必須要按照規矩來相處,能夠「但求心安」就對了,儒家思想是不會要求你跟任何人都保持良好的關係的。

您致力於倡導儒學,並建議青年學子「以孔子為師,與孔子為友。」,能否請您談一談現代青少年為什麼要認識古代的至聖先師孔子?對現代快速的生活步調、內容,又有什麼助益呢? 

青少年要認識古代的至聖先師孔子,有兩個理由,其一是我們講中文、讀中文書,而中華文化是以孔子的儒家思想為主流,我們學習孔子思想,是最自然、簡單、明瞭的方法,能對人生做全面性的檢視。其二,孔子思想本身確具特色,因為孔子本身好學、深思、力行,這三方面使他的見解能夠配合生活經驗,具備個人的原則,以及遠大的理想。我們學習孔子思想之後,會發現人生並不是過一天算一天,不是靠運氣,也不是靠其他的因素,而是要靠自己的努力去學習。孔子非常重視學習,且敞開心靈讓自己不斷成長。中文裡面有很多好用的成語典故都和儒家思想有關,學了之後自然會對這個語言所代表的文化更容易理解。至聖先賢孔子被尊為世界上最偉大的哲學家、教育家,乃是十分自然的事,所以我們更要珍惜這個儒家思想,並且傳承下去。

現代生活步調快速,學習孔子對我們有什麼幫助呢?要知道,步調愈快愈需要找到內心安定的力量。社會快速轉變,你無法跟著它轉,一味的向外追逐會感到茫然的。學習孔子思想會讓你從真誠出發,並且經常面對自己、瞭解自己、珍惜自己。與人來往要做到體諒就是「恕」,恕就是「己所不欲
,勿施於人。」對自己真誠以及對別人體貼,做到這兩點會讓你的生活品質提高,培養出一種主動性的生活態度。能夠把握「真誠」跟「體諒」這兩個原則,你就會建立一套自主性的生活規則,來往的朋友都具有共同或接近的思想跟原則,這是很愉快的一件事情。

可否請您指導身為中學生的我們,面對考試或升學壓力,應該如何調適心情,排除不快樂的感受並釋放壓力呢?

要有中學階段一定會過去的想法,而只要最後會結束的苦都不算是苦。因此你要確信,現在那麼苦沒關係,因為這個苦是為了將來可以進一個好大學。有這種想法的話,這個苦就僅只是一個過程罷了,沒有什麼好擔心的。既然所有跟你一樣的中學生都要受這種苦,也就沒有什麼好抱怨的了。同時在這個階段裡要設法自得其樂,想想我有什麼優於別人的條件,例如其他學校沒有實中這麼好的讀書環境等,而因為你有這些優越的條件,就更要好好的珍惜它、享受它。你也需要找到一個讓自己快樂的方法,比如聽聽喜歡的音樂,看看電影,調節一下生活趣味。升學也不是要你一年三百六十五天每天都唸書、每天都考試的。所以自己喜歡聽些什麼音樂,看什麼電影,就掌握住這個機緣、機會,設法讓自己過得快樂。

人生之路常是不能盡如人意。您能否給我們中學生一些觀念或方法,達到自我激勵並在挫折中重新站起、積極面對人生的不如意?

這個部分又統稱做挫折或逆境。碰到逆境時,你就要想這是個考驗的機會。如果你在順境中待久了,你的潛能就不會被激發出來,一個人的潛能是需要培養的。所以說有些人在經歷某種困難之後,結果相對的他就會擁有特殊的優點。世上沒有人的成就是與生具備的,人生來只具有潛能,而潛能要磨練成為專長,最主要是在面對挫折、逆境的時候。以我個人來說,我常到處去上課,演講,事實上這就是一種挑戰或逆境,因為有這樣的逆境,讓我特別注意到怎麼跟別人說話,說的話要有內涵並且要讓別人可以理解,而這樣的一個結果,則是特殊的逆境所造成的。所以當你年輕的時候,碰到不如意的事情,要常想這是個機會,是危機也是轉機,要藉著這個機會來磨練自己並激發潛能,透過這個考驗,更能將自己的能力發展出來。上天不會給一個人他所不能承擔之逆境,這是西方很有名的一句話。也就是說上天給了你這個困難,就一定可以讓你度過的,只是要看你有沒有真正努力去克服這個困難。

 

 


     Dr. Fu Pei-rong Gives 
        A Lesson in Philosophy

◎by 11A Christopher Lo

Dr. Fu Pei-rong: Philosopher, Teacher, and Scholar

Dr. Fu Pei-rong is a well-known philosopher, professor, and author. In an interview conducted on Dec. 13, 2003 here at NEHS, Dr. Fu Pei-rong shared many of his life experiences and philosophy. He defined philosophy as a mechanism which people may begin to understand life experiences and set a path to follow. Through the study of philosophy, Dr. Fu Pei-rong elaborated that one may be able to grasp an understanding of the grand scope of life. Many people may begin to develop and live by their own personal beliefs; this, of course, is influenced by past experiences, guidance from teachers and parents, and learning accumulated at school. Dr. Fu Pei-rong also informed that pursuing a personal philosophy is a long-term effort that will add meaning, truth, and wisdom to life. He continued that in today's unreliable and unpredictable society, philosophers are able to distinguish things that are unstable from things that are lasting. 

Dr. Fu Pei-rong grew up in a Catholic family. As a child he heard many Bible stories and realized that life on earth is a series of trials for humans. Even after the challenges of life, humans must face Judgment from God. Dr. Fu Pei-rong thought that life posed many serious conflicts for humans. After his graduation from high school, Dr. Fu Pei-rong enrolled in the Philosophy Department of Fu Jen Catholic University. He chose this university not only for its religious affiliation, but because he was interested in finding the meaning of life's trials; he felt the Philosophy Department of Fu Jen Catholic University was the place for him to follow his calling. Later, as a graduate student at Yale University, Dr. Fu Pei-rong had trouble overcoming the language barrier. A native-Chinese speaker, he found it increasingly difficult to keep up with his 100-pages-a-day reading assignments. Initially, Dr. Fu Pei-rong studied with a dictionary at his side, looking up every difficult word; at this rate, it took him 2 hours to complete each page. Soon realizing that this approach was impractical, Dr. Fu Pei-rong began skimming the pages for main points without putting too much emphasis on difficult vocabulary. Still, Dr. Fu Pei-rong spent around 12 hours studying per day. However, a well-read individual, Dr. Fu Pei-rong's diligence was quickly recognized by his professor; when his professor mentioned a book, Dr. Fu Pei-rong was the only pupil familiar with it. Having studied abroad for four years, Dr. Fu Pei-rong believes that when in foreign countries, one must try to accept and follow the cultural rules. Children should try to be more tolerant and gain exposure to different cultures. A whole nation will never change to accommodate the needs of one, but the individual can mold himself or herself to better fit the culture. Diligence is the key to a smooth adaptation to different environments.

Dr. Fu's Favorite Philosophers

Dr. Fu Pei-rong's favorite western philosopher is Socrates. Socrates' philosophies apply well to his daily life. Socrates constantly asked questions and refused to blindly accept previous knowledge. Socrates did not believe in things just because the majority did; instead, he upheld his own standards and principles. Dr. Fu Pei-rong's favorite eastern philosopher is Confucius because he agrees with the view of life as a growing and learning experience. Confucius viewed life as a ladder, where one is constantly rising and viewing the world from a different standpoint. Confucius believed that one's learning has only just begun at a ripe age of seventy. Confucius was a great philosopher, scholar, and educator. Through Confucius's teachings, Dr. Fu Pei-rong believes people can learn to be truthful to themselves and able to accept others.

After studying Confucius's sayings, Dr. Fu Pei-rong has learned that people must treat others with respect and love and that these qualities arise from honesty within the individual. Honest people have the conscience to do what is right. Dr. Fu Pei-rong interprets that people are not “born good” as Confucius puts it; contrarily, people will move towards kindness through truthfulness. Honesty will make the world to be a kinder place. 

On Philosophy

Philosophy may train people to think. Philosophers may have the drive to learn the complete and unbiased truth. With unpartisan views, students can learn to understand a situation from different viewpoints and draw objective conclusions. After delving into the depths of the mind, students will discover that personal morals and principles are important.

Understanding philosophy can reduce societal conflicts. Besides people being truthful and honest, people must also learn to try to understand each other. People must also abide by society's rules. If people can learn these principles, they will form more meaningful relationships. To develop their own personal philosophies, students must think over their experiences. People should learn from their mistakes and avoid making the same mistakes twice. School is also critical to learning because students have access to teachers' life experiences. Important figures in history may also offer many lessons. Finally, students can learn about philosophy by reading novels and watching movies. Through the experiences of those in movies and novels, students can learn how people react in different circumstances and, in turn, learn for themselves how to make good decisions.

Advice for NEHS Students

Dr. Fu Pei-rong believes that youth is an important stage in the development of humans. First of all, young people are hopeful and idealistic. They are also versatile and flexible. To change society, young people should not worry about current societal problems; they should concentrate on edifying themselves. Dr. Fu Pei-rong believes that though school may be stressful, all students must pass through this short stage in life and focus on “the light at the end of the tunnel.” Students should try to stay positive by being thankful and by occasionally taking breaks. At this stage in life, students should try to develop good habits and establish order in their lives. Students must focus on their goals to be graduated and avoid temptations. Finally, students should remember to be responsible for themselves, not others.

Dr. Fu Pei-rong would like to remind our students that time passes very quickly. Also, he warns us to be careful with what we choose to do with our youth because what we accomplish now will affect the course of our future. Dr. Fu Pei-rong encourages students to keep learning and discovering. Also, finally, Dr. Fu Pei-rong encourages everyone to maintain a youthful and positive spirit. “Even at eighty, you should have the hope of an eighteen-year-old.”

 

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