孟子与“疑经”时代

Mencius and the Age of Suspecting Canons

孟子是儒家思想的主要代表。人们通常以为,孟子与其他儒家学者一样,相信《诗经》、《尚书》等经典,并通过传播经典,弘扬儒家思想。然而,从文献和思想史的双重角度来看,与其说孟子"传经",不如说孟子"疑经"。面对《诗经》,孟子提出"不以文害辞,不以辞害志";针对《尚书》,孟子主张"尽信《书》,则不如无《书》"。对待《礼》,他认为也不必恪守于字字句句。这反映了孟子对待经典的反思、质疑与怀疑的态度和意识。这种态度与意识是孟子哲学尤其是其语言哲学的必然结果。同时,《庄子》、荀子等对经典的批判也表明:此一时期的经学已经进入到一个需要反思、怀疑和批判的时代——"疑经"时代。孟子所倡导的"疑经"时代,为后来经学的发展提供了更广阔的空间。

It is widely granted that Mencius, as an important representative of Confucian school, must support the Confucian canons and broadcasting them. In the aspects of both the texts and the logic of intellectual history, this article argues that it is more accurate to suggest that Mencius doubt the canons other than Mencius broadcast the canons. As to the Poem, Mencius argues that the words of the Poems should not bring any harm to the agents＇ will. As to the Book, Mencius argues that it is better to abandon the Book if the Book be trusted completely. As to the Politeness Book, Mencius suggests that it be better to act according to one＇s conscience independently instead of following the precepts of the Politeness Book. Mencius＇s and his contemporaries＇ doubting some principles of the canons demonstrates that this era is an age of doubting the canons.