中庸之“中”探微

Though on the "mean" in "juste-milieu"

中庸之“中”字的涵义是全面的,也是自成系统的,与其相关的“执中”、“中和”、“时中”等概念均由“中”字衍生而来。在“中”与道德的关系上,中国儒家所言“中庸”是“至德”,而古希腊中庸思想的集大成者亚里士多德则认为中庸是区别于自然界的人事界之“中”,是最高的善。中庸以适度为原则,但它不容易达到。人的行为必须以理性为指导,才能达到中庸。

The meaning of ＂mean＂ in ＂juste-milieu＂ is comprehensive, and also independent, the concepts of neutralization, ＂Shizhong＂ and ete. are all from it. With the relationship between the ＂mean＂ and the moral, ＂mean＂ has been viewed as ＂perfect moral＂ in Chinese Confusion, while Aristotle, the great thinker on the mean in ancient Greek, said that mean is the one in human＇s society rather in nature, mean is the great kindness with the principle of moderation, mean is difficult to reach, and it wont be down unless under the instruction of the rationality.