儒学和之道的诠释与反思

Annotation and Reconsideration of the Confucian Way of Harmony

“和”是儒学之道的最高点。作为核心议题,和贯穿于儒家学术讨论的各个层面。“和”在字源上与音乐相关,其主旨有别于“同”,与德行修养、政治教化、生活实践相关联。儒家多在天人关系的语境中阐述“和”,认为天人在根本上是和谐而非对立的。依据对天的不同理解,儒家天人和谐思想呈现为两大主张:人与主宰之天合一、人与自然之天协同。同时,儒家关于和的论述并不仅仅是一种探寻形而上之奥秘的理论尝试。这一理论具有很强的化解冲突、建立秩序的实践性功能。作为一种救治方案,和道在人的领域具有人我、家庭和国家三个向度,追求一种动态的有序。

Harmony is the culmination of the Confucian way. As the central theme, harmony penetrates all levels and dimensions of Confucian discourses. The Confucian understanding of harmony is primarily related to music. Its major idea is different from identity, and is well connected with virtue, moralization, emotions, and politics. Harmony is addressed primarily in the context of the relationship between Heaven and human beings, and Confucians considered that the relationship is primarily one of harmony rather than of confrontation or conflict. The various Confucian schools differ in their understanding of what Heaven is, and consequently they hold different opinions about the harmony between humans and Heaven. Of these opinions, two constitute the mainstream of the Confucian doctrines of harmony; one locating harmony in the oneness of humans and Heaven, the other finding harmony in human conformity to Natural Law. At the same time, the Confucian discourses on harmony are not only a theoretical attempt to search for the secrecy of metaphysical mysteries. They have the strongly practical function of compromising opposition and solving conflict. As a resolution of conflict, the way of harmony concentrates on three dimensions, which includes individuals, the family and the state within the human realm, and looks for dynamic order and peace.