自由优先抑或平等优先?——对卢梭《社会契约论》第二卷第十一章的思考

Which Is Priorer,Freedom or Equality?——A Discussion on Chapter XI,Volume II of the Social Contract

自由和平等是卢梭一生中关注的基本概念。在《社会契约论》的第二卷第十一章中他谈到关于自由与平等的关系。他提到没有平等,自由便不可能存在的观点。本文就从这一论断出发,谈到自由与平等的关系,卢梭的自由与平等何者最为优先?这种优先是不是说其中一个可以还原成另一个,从而取消一个?笔者认为,在卢梭那里,自由与平等是国家的两个基本价值,二者关系密切,并不互相冲突。自由优先于平等,但是绝不能取消平等。

'Freedom'and'equality'have been two of the basic concepts in Rousseau's life-long theoretical delibrations. Rousseau talked about the relation between freedom and equality in Chapter XI,Volume II of the Social Contract. He argued that freedom cannot exist without equality. Based on this argument,the author raises such questions as the following : Which concept has the ultimate priority,freedom or equality? Can one abolish the other by reducing the other to itself? The author argues that,for Rousseau,freedom and equality are both essential to a state,that they are closely related and uncontradictory. The author affirms the priority of freedom in Rousseau's thought,while pointing out that equality cannot be reduced.