儒家“德性”概念的文化诠释

Cultural Annotation to the Confucian Concept of "Virtue"

"德性"虽是儒学非常根基性的一个概念,但在不同历史时期所拥有的内涵却不同。它主要包括这几方面内容,即:蕴藏在人性之中的"至善"之性、人先验具有的对宇宙万物真实本性的认知、人从情欲向"至善"之性超越的过程、人的形体认知能力。其中,第三层内涵最具有代表性,因为,儒家诠释"德性"概念的目的就是要挖掘蕴藏在人心当中的善,而由于对人性之善的理解不同,才造成"德性"概念其他内涵的产生。

'Virtue' is a fundamental concept in Confucianism. The connotations of this concept are different at different historical periods. Its connotations include the 'highest good' in human nature, the transcendental cognition of the nature of the universe, the process to rise above human desire to the 'highest good', and the cognitive ability to see form. The third level of the meanings is typical, as the aim of Confucian annotation to the concept is to find the 'good' in man’s heart. Other meanings come as a re...