不同哲學傳統間之溝通，一向是公認的難題。就中國哲學而言，由於其目的、功能及探究方式均與西方哲學有極大的差異，更不易為西方學人所了解。本文旨在幫助西方哲學傳統下之學人了解中國哲學思想，乃從兩個層面試求解決此種溝通上之難題。第一步，對「哲學概念」作一修改，以「開放的哲學概念」代替「封閉的哲學概念」，以期脫出學派成見之限制。第二步，重新畫定哲學之功能，將「引導功能」與「認知功能」並列，顯出非西方傳統之中國哲學傳統之特性，以期超越特殊傳統之限制。最後，以孟子及莊子學說為例，闡釋中國之引導性哲學思想。

The communication between different philosophical traditions always constitutes a difficult problem . As far as Chinese philosophy is concerned , since its goal , function and methods of study are greatly distinct from those of Western philosophy , it is harder for Western scholars to understand . Intending to help scholars trained in the Western philosophical tradition to understand Chinese philosophy , the author of the present paper tries to solve this communication problem from two angles . First , he revises the general “concept of philosophy” and proposes the “open concept of philosophy” in place of the “closed concept of philosophy” , so that the boundaries between different schools can be crossed . Second , he redefines the function of philosophy , juxtaposing its “orientation function” against its “cognitive function” , so as to put in relief the difference between Chinese and Western philosophical traditions , and to transcend their limits . Finally , he uses the philosophies of Mencius and Chuang-tzu to illustrate the orientation function of Chinese Philosophy . This article was originally written in English and collected in Understanding the Chinese Mind , published in 1989 by Oxford University Press . Except for a slight readjustment in tone , all the arguments in the Chinese version here remain the same as those in the original .