摘要
明中期以來，有經世之心的士人在內憂外患的刺激下，展開談兵論劍的活動，本文嘗試由社會史、心態史與文化（知識）史三個層面對此進行討論。首先，考察這些活動是在何種時代氛圍與社會情境下進行？其社會性質與文化意義如何？其次，進入士人的生活世界，探究其習武心態，思考他們在談兵活動中到底懷抱著怎樣的現實意圖、情感寄託與人生想像？再次，由知識社會史的角度切入，探測士人習武的知識趣味何在，討論他們將兵學武術放在怎樣的知識脈絡下？開展出哪些表現形式？而此類知識（或技藝）又被如何看待？
Starting in the mid-Ming period of tumultuous state affairs, Chinese literati who were concerned about issues of the state launched activities related to warfare debates. This paper aims to discuss this topic from three aspects: social history, history of mentalities and history of culture (particularly knowledge). The social atmosphere and circumstances under which these activities took place are the first to be examined, along with the social characters and cultural meanings of such activities. Secondly, by looking into the world of Chinese literati, the mentalities behind practicing martial arts are to be discussed, namely the realistic intentions, emotional investment and life aspirations behind these activities. Lastly, looking from the perspective of the social history of knowledge, this paper examines where literati got the interest and knowledge to learn martial arts from and discusses how they place warfare and martial arts in the context of knowledge, particularly the forms of expression developed and the perception towards this knowledge (or skill).
關鍵詞
談兵論劍 武功 武學 武藝 武俠
warfare debate, martial arts achievement (wugong), martial arts study (wuxue), martial arts skills (wuyi), martial arts practitioners (wuxia)