斯密的“两个人”假设与司马迁的“两者”描述

Adam Smith's Assumption of "Economic Man" and "Night Watcher" and Sima Qian's Description of "Interested Party" and "Wise Man"

根据斯密的理论假设,市场经济中最值得关注的是“两个人”:一个是市场活动的主体,其本质特征是理性“经济人”;另一个是管制市场的政府,其角色定位有如“守夜人”。无独有偶,我国古代著名思想家司马迁也将社会上活动的人描述为“两者”:一是社会经济的活动者,他们都是忙碌奔波的“利者”;一是社会经济活动的管理者即政府,其理想角色是充当一个顺应社会经济自发发展的“善者”。斯密的“两个人”假设与司马迁的“两者”描述既有同工异曲之妙,又有交相辉映之趣。比较二者,我们可以从中获得一些有益的借鉴与启示。

According to Adam Smith ＇ s assumption, two types of entities deserve our attention most ： one is subjects in economic activity, characterized by rational ＂economic man＂ ; the other is government regulating the market, with a role of a ＂night watcher＂. Similarly, Sima Qian, an ancient Chinese thinker, identifies two types of entities in social activity： one is participants in social and economic activity, ＂interested parties＂ ; the other is the manager of social and economic activity, the government, whose ideal role is a ＂wise man＂ conforming to spontaneous social and economic development. The assumption of Adam Smith and the description of Sima Qian are different in approach, but offer equally satisfactory results and enhance each other＇ s beauty. Useful lessons and inspirations can be drawn by comparing the two.