由“德”字的本义论周代道德观念的形成

Evolution of Zhou Dynasty Moral Concept Seen from the Original Meaning of the Charaectr "De" (德)

本文对最早出现于周代金文中的“德”字予以考察,确认其本义是“正见于心”,周代“德”思想经历了“敬德”、“哲德”、“用德”和“德行兼一”诸阶段,论证了周代道德观念的中心内容是“孝悌”。

The paper investigates into the Chinese character '德' (morality) whose earliest appearance was in Zhou Dynasty's inscription on bronze, ascertains that its original meaning is 'to put one's thoughts morally right' and that the Zhou Dynasty's concept of 'morality' underwent such evolution stages as 'respect for morality', 'comprehension of morality', 'application of morality' and 'integration of morality with practice', and as a consequence sets forth the viewpoint that the central idea of Zhou Dynasty's concept of of morality comprises 'filial piety plus fraternal duty.'