诚信的三个限度

Three Limits of Honesty

诚信作为一种德性或规范并非绝对普适,而是有其限度。它至少面临着三个方面的限度:个体理性的限度、根本利益的限度和社会正义的限度。对于缺乏起码的理性行为能力的人,社会不能提出诚信要求。诚信不可能出现在没有任何共同利益尤其是根本利益相互冲突的双方之间。社会正义是诚信的一条重要边界,诚信应当在正义的范围内活动。逾越正义的诚信是自我背叛、自我否定的诚信,因而不是真正的诚信。深入认识诚信的限度,是为了更适当地要求诚信和更合理地践行诚信。

As a virtue or norm, honesty is not of absolute universality but of its own limits. It finds itself at least in such three limits as of individual reasoning, of fundamental interests, and social justice. Societies must not require honesty of people who are lack of the least necessary ability of rational action. Honesty cannot settle down between two parties with their every different interests, especially with their conflicting fundamental interests. Justice is one of important boundaries within which honesty ought to serve. Honesty beyond justice, as it is of self - betrayal and self - denial, is not honesty proper. It is for the sake of more appropriate requirement for other people＇s honesty and more reasonable practice of one＇s own honesty to realize its limits in depth.