我们常看到读者把 metaphilosophy 译为“元哲学”,而且有的读者还解释“元哲学”中的“元”含有“基础”、“根源”、“开始”的意思,“元哲学”意指“基础哲学”,等等。不少读者这样理解 metaphilosophy 这门术语或学科,看来与我们把它译为“元哲学”是分不开的。有些读者对这种译法也有不同看法。对 metaphilosophy 究竟应怎样译才比较恰当呢? 关键问题是应如何译 meta 这一前缀。根据新英汉字典:met(a)-[构词成分]表示“位于……后”,“继……后”,“在中间”;表示“超越”,“总的”。根据《韦伯斯特第9版新大学字典》对meta的解释,除以上的意思以外,还有“更广泛的”和“超越的”意思,并举例如 metaphychology。还有一个解释说:meta与一个学科的名字 We often see readers translate metaphilosophy into “metaphysics,” and some readers also explain that “meta” in “metaphysics” contains the meaning of “foundational”, “root”, “beginning”, “metaphysical” “Basic philosophy”, and so on. Many readers understand metaphilosophy this term or discipline, it seems that we translate it as “metaphysics” is inseparable. Some readers have different views on this translation. How to translate metaphilosophy should be more appropriate? The key question is how to translate meta prefix. According to the New English-Chinese dictionary: met (a) - [word formation component] means “after ...”, “following ...” and “in the middle”, meaning “beyond” or “total.” According to the Webster’s 9th edition of the New University Dictionary meta-interpretation, in addition to the above, there is “broader” and “transcendental” meanings, such as metaphychology. There is another explanation: meta with the name of a subject