五行哲學新說

五行學說，是中國傳統宇宙論思想的最重要內容，這套思維架構影響了中國文化的各個方面。本文由哲學來探究五行說的內容，不同於由歷史來追溯五行的發展。就五行說的義理框架而言，家各爲說，但五行既指五氣，五氣實爲一元之氣，則元氣與宇宙萬物的種種關係，透過五行框架可得一深切的體認。從元氣流行的意義上說，五行之間並非平行的關係，而以「土」行最爲突出，且「土」行與「水」、「火」、「木」、「金」四行是體用關係，直接與萬物連繫的是「水」、「火」、「木」、「金」四行，本文以「專氣」一名擬之，因各有其生化功能：春生夏長，秋收冬藏：至於「土」行則元氣的當體而已：元氣流行，即陰陽消息：陰陽消息入於時空而成各方專氣。元氣與專氣即體即用，即用即體，而生化大原在五行之神。本文即以此新義來詮釋五行說的內容，並就五行說的各種系統相作一初步的判釋。

關鍵字

五行；五氣；元氣；專氣；五行之神

並列摘要

The theory of Five Elements (”Water”; ”Fire”; ”Wood”; ”Metal”; ”Soil”) is one of the most important components of the traditional Chinese cosmology. It affects the whole infrastructure of the Chinese culture. This paper will explore the theory of Five Elements from a philosophical point of view. Five elements are Five Ch'i. Five Ch'i actually comes from the Originating Ch'i. Hence, it is possible to understand the various relations between Originating Ch'i and the Cosmos through the structure of Five Elements.The relationship among the Five Elements is not a parallel one. ”Soil” is the most prominent element, which is also the origin of other four elements. These other four elements have a direct linkage with the beings of the universe. The discussion here will christen these four elements ”Specialized Ch'i” because they have their respective functions in the process of growth and development of all thing on earth.”Soil” is in itself Originating Chi. The dynamic force of Originating Ch'i is the inter-reaction between Yin and Yang. This inter-reaction will transform itself into the Four Elements, i.e. Specialized ch'i when it is put in the dimensions of time and space. In term of cosmology, the Originating Ch'i and the Specialized Ch'i are indeed the same. Ontologically, the Spirits of Five Elements is the unique origin of the universe.