“义”、“利”辨说——关于“义利之辩”的再认识

A Study of the Original Meanings of Justice and Interest

重新认识“义利之辩” ,首先必须尊重“义”和“利”的本来意义 ,并且必须根据文字学的知识从辨析“义”和“利”的本义入手 ,而不应当急于将“义”和“利”当作伦理学的重要范畴并直接在伦理道德领域展开所谓“义利之辩”。今天伦理学的许多词汇 ,如伦、理、道、德以及义和利等 ,当初并非就一定含有伦理或道德上的解释。甲金文字“义”和“利”的本来意义或最初含义是“杀羊”、“己之威仪”和“以刀断禾”或“用‘刀’犁地”。

Another study of justice and interest depends on the original meanings of the two words. It should begin with lexical studies of the two words instead of ethic ones, and it should not be unfolded as an important category of ethics.Most of contemporary words don't mean what they used to.