西欧启蒙思想家的中国文化观探略

Western European Enlightened Thinkers' Views on Chinese Culture

在以“理性主义时代”而著称的17、18世纪,西欧启蒙思想家抨击中世纪的神学教条,倡导建立一个合乎理性的社会和国家。以儒家学说为核心的中国传统文化,强调顺应自然“天道,”重视伦理道德,显然与西欧启蒙思想家的理想具有诸多吻合。由此,东方儒家文化成为启蒙运动者汲取精神养料的一个宝贵源泉,亚欧大陆东西两端的文化交流为近代欧洲文明的发展做出了贡献。

From 1600 to 1800 the Enlightened thinkers in Western Europe initiated building society and country according to natural laws. The Chinese traditional culture with the core of Confucian philosophy, which emphasized complying with ＂Tian Dao＂ （natural rule） and attached importance to ethical and moral training, to a great extent coincided with these thinkers＇ ideas. Chinese civilization, became a precious fountainhead to the benefit of European Enlightenment. The cultural exchange between the eastern end and the western end of Eurasian Continent made contribution to the development of modern European civilization.