儒学人伦原则的现代开展

The Modern Development of Confucian Ethical Principle of Human Relations

差异性是儒学人伦的根本原则,体现在三纲五伦等传统的人伦规范中,为社会各阶层所广泛认同,对中国古代社会生活产生了支配性的影响。近代以来,儒学人伦差异性原则受到源自近代西方的平等性原则的巨大冲击,三纲五伦等传统人伦规范受到激烈批判,但也有很多学者对儒学的人伦传统加以反思,寻求其与现代伦理接轨的契机。我认为,儒学的人伦差异性原则源自人际关系的实际,在今天仍然有继续存在的生命力,但在对差异性原则的内涵理解与应用范围上应当予以新的诠释,使之顺应当代中国社会发展的要求。

The principle of difference, a fundamental principle of Confucian ethics, is shown in traditional Chinese ethical criterion such as the Three Cardinal Guides and the Five Moral Standards. It had been widely accepted by all classes of people and had had a dominant influence on ancient Chinese society. In modern times, however, it has been severely criticized due to the impact of the equality principle of modern Western thought. On the other hand, some scholars begin to reflect on the traditional Confucian ethics and search for its combination with modern ethics. The present paper holds that the difference principle of the Confucian ethics has been derived from the reality of human relations, and is still serviceable today. What we should do is to interpret and apply the principle in new ways so as to adapt it to the needs of the contemporary Chinese society.