Abstract

老子《道德经》的宇宙论长期被视为抽象形而上体系，缺乏地域、生态与历史背景的考察。然而，本文核心概念“冲”具有独特的生成与秩序调节功能，其哲学化形成与楚地自然文明实践高度相关。本研究通过文本分析、地名学、生态—水系研究及空间考古学方法，系统考证了楚地自然经验、郢都文明圈及郭店楚简一号墓的实证证据。研究发现：“冲”概念起源于楚国郢都附近汉江西岸谷地山林的生态环境，体现洪泛调控、缓冲、循环的低熵稳定特性；楚文王、楚成王、楚庄王及孙叔敖治理实践进一步将这一经验转化为政治制度与社会秩序，形成国家治理的低干预、顺势而为模式；郭店楚简文本则将楚地经验抽象为宇宙生成、阴阳调和、万物运行的系统理论。郢都文明圈的空间高度集中，使政治、生态与思想在实地交汇，提供了哲学抽象的现实发生场。综合分析显示，老子宇宙论不仅是哲学思维的产物，更是楚地自然文明经验的普遍化升华，体现自然—社会—宇宙的内在统一。本文的研究不仅为理解《道德经》提供实证基础，也为现代生态治理、社会系统管理和自然文明理念的传承提供人类文明应该升华到自然文明的深刻启示。 Abstract The cosmology of Laozi’s Dao De Jing has long been regarded as an abstract metaphysical system, often divorced from its regional, ecological, and historical contexts. However, the core concept of “chong” (冲) possesses a unique generative and order-regulating function, whose philosophical formation is deeply linked to the natural civilization practices of the Chu region. This study systematically examines textual, toponymic, ecological, hydrological, and spatial archaeological evidence from the Chu heartland, the Yingdu civilization zone, and the Guodian Tomb No. 1 corpus. The findings indicate that the concept of “chong” originates from the ecological environment of valleys, forests, and riverine plains on the western banks of the Han River near Yingdu, characterized by flood regulation, buffering, and circulation, forming a low-entropy stable system. The governance practices of King Wen, King Cheng, and King Zhuang of Chu, along with the hydraulic engineering led by Sun Shuo’ao, translated these experiences into political institutions and social order, forming a low-intervention, adaptive model of state governance. The Guodian texts abstracted these Chu experiences into a systematic theory of cosmic generation, yin-yang harmony, and the operation of all things. The spatial concentration of the Yingdu civilization zone allowed political, ecological, and intellectual practices to intersect in situ, providing the real-world locus for philosophical abstraction. Comprehensive analysis demonstrates that Laozi’s cosmology is not merely a product of abstract reasoning but a universalized reflection of Chu’s natural civilization, embodying the intrinsic unity of nature, society, and cosmos. This study provides empirical grounding for interpreting the Dao De Jing and offers profound insights for contemporary ecological governance, social system management, and the transmission of natural civilization principles, suggesting that human civilization should aspire toward harmony with nature. Keywords Laozi cosmology; Chong (冲); Chu natural civilization; Yingdu; Guodian manuscripts; spatial archaeology; ecological governance; low-entropy system