“差序格局”——中国传统社会结构和中国人行为的解读

"The Differential Mode of Association":Understanding of Traditional Chinese Social Structure and the Behaviors of the Chinese People

费孝通教授通过对中国社会的深入观察,在他的早期著作《乡土中国》中把中国社会结构的特点归纳为“差序格局”,并与西方社会进行了系统的比较。这一理论在国内外有着广泛的影响。本文试图进一步分析传统的中国社会与西方现代社会之间在价值观念与行为规范之间的差异,讨论了它们各自不同的文化与宗教基础,结合当代中国的一些社会现象来分析传统中国的观念在今天是否仍然在影响着我们的观念与行为。中国要想真正成为一个现代的公民国家和法治社会,必须对中国的思想传统进行深刻地剖析和反思。费孝通教授的“差序格局”理论为我们提供了一个很好的切入点,很值得国人重读和思考。

Based on his deeply observation of Chinese society, Professor Fei Xiaotong proposed the characteristics of the structure of Chinese society as ＂a pattern＂ in his early book ＂Homebound China＂ and compared with the social structure in the West. This theory has a strong influence in China as well as abroad. This article tried to compare the value systems and behavior regulations between the Chinese society and western nations, discussed their different cultural and religious traditions, and discussed how this ＂differential mode of association＂ still affects the behaviors in China today. In order to become a modem civic nation and a society ruled by law, we should rethink and analyze our cultural traditions. In this aspect, Professor Fei＇ s ＂differential mode of association＂ and relevant theory provides an insightful clue.