On the Interpretation of the Part-whole Relationship in the Annotations of the Classical Works: A Case Study of Laozi

To some extent the meaning of classical works is enriched through the unending interpretations of them. But it cannot be denied that the works have coherent thoughts on the whole that run through them after they are created. The form of accompanying annotations determines how an interpretation could be made—the annotator must look into the parts and give due consideration to the whole. The annotator's specific background and ideological perspective will inevitably play a role in the interpretation as well, resulting in relatively diverse modes and styles of exegesis. In this process, the problem of expression of thought in and between the parts and the whole and the problem of jumping from one system of thought to another in interpretation brought about by the annotator's personal background and ideological perspective are quite worthy of reflection. The former determines different annotators' styles of accompanying annotations, and the latter enriches the thoughts of the work and influences the legitimacy of the interpretation given by each annotator.