先秦儒家人性论演变的理论渊源和现实依据

The Theoretical Sources and Bases for the Evolution of the Confucian Conceptions of Human Nature in the Pre-Qin Period

先秦儒家的人性论,经历了从孔子的“性近”说,至孟子的“性善”说,再至荀子的“性恶”说的演变过程。其演变的原因,既是儒家仁学和礼学的发展的理论需要,也是缘于先秦特定历史时期社会现实的变化和发展。这样的演变,实际上是儒家思想的扩充和发展。

The conceptions of human nature of the Confucian in the Pre-Qin Period experienced the phases from Confucius＇s conception of “human nature being similar ” to Mencius＇ conception of “human nature being kind ” to Xunzi＇s “human nature being evil”. The reasons for the evolution lie in the needs from the development of the Conlucian ren and rites and the development required by the society in the Pre-Qin period. The evolution is, in fact, the expansion and development of the Confucian ideas.