教化:荀子伦理思想的本旨

Bildung:The Goal of Xunzi’s Ethical Thought

荀子继承“周孔教化”的宏愿,在理论上系统地论证了教化的必要性和现实途径。他以性恶论为基础提出教化的必要性,认为要实现教化的目的,则所教之物必须入于人心而涵化之。其要在于养情正行而起伪化性,具体途径则是通过礼教和乐教、五经之教等方式来实现教化目的。可以说,荀子的伦理思想特别明确地以教化为本旨。就教化理论而言,其逻辑之严密,体系之完整,在先秦儒家中,皆属首屈一指。

Xunzi carried on the great projects of “Zhou Kong Jiaohua” and demonstrated systematically the (necessity) of Bildung and the actual access to Bildung which is based on the presupposition that human nature is (evil).He believed that if we want to be edified,we should accept what is taught and absorb it. The key of Bildung is to cultivate human feelings and encourage human beings to behave themselves properly,and to make efforts to mold their nature;we can gain access to Bildung through edifying ourselves with Rites and Music.Therefore,we will come to a conclusion that Bildung is the goal of Xunzi’s ethical thought.As far as theory of Bildung is concerned,Xunzi’s thought is most logical and systematical among the most famous thinkers in the Pre-Chin Period.