吴澄论“尊德性”与“道问学”

Wu Cheng's Theory on "Honoring the Virtuous Nature" and "Following the Knowledge"

“尊德性”与“道问学”是儒家道德修养的两条路线。元代理学家吴澄认为,朱熹与陆九渊在这一问题上虽有分歧,但仍有共同之处。在为学次第上,吴澄以“尊德性”为先,并认为“道问学”是“尊德性”的基础。吴澄提出“尊德性”与“道问学”知行合一、内外兼修的中庸之道。他以“发见本心”为“知”,以“固守本心”为“行”,若“知而不行”则不可谓真知,视“尊德性”高于“道问学”。吴澄认为,为学应以“进德”为本,才能回到儒家“一以贯之”的轨道上来。

＂To honor the virtuous nature＂ and ＂to follow the knowledge＂ are two cultivation methods in Confucian＇s moral culture. Wu Cheng paid more attention to the former. In his opinion, the relationship between the two methods is learning sequence. Meanwhile, he considered that one should venerate one＇s original nature of good and at the same time cultivate or develop the nature by learning.