儒家哲学的重建——当代新荀学的进路

Reconstruction of Confucian Philosophy:a Contemporary Neo-Xunism's Approach

当代从事儒家哲学重建的主要是孟学一路。相较之下,荀学一路的发展显得极为低迷、沉寂。采取"当代新荀学"的进路,简单地说,虽然屡遭误解,荀子哲学其实蕴涵着一个符合民族心理倾向的"普遍形式";荀学思维也在历代隐微曲折地持续发展,最终形成了以戴震为代表的明清自然气本论;以这样的荀学传统为基础,今天儒家哲学荀学一系的基本理路可以是:(1)以气为本,理在气中。(2)禀气、性、心、身一贯,理在欲中。(3)元气、自然、人生、社会、历史一贯,理在事中。相较于孟学一路,这样的哲学典范对于现代华人生命的提升、知识的建构、民主的实践、经济的发展,都有更贴切更紧密的符应。

The article aims to use Contemporary Neo-Xunism to reconstruct Confucian philosophy while Mencianism has been the main approach to it in the contemporary context.In fact,although often misinterpreted,Xunzi's essential philosophy tends to correspond with the psychological tendencies of the general public.Moreover,Xunism has developed subtly over time and then forms Naturalistic Qi philosophy in Ming and Qing Dynasty with Daizhen(1724-1777) as the leading thinker of the school.Based on such tradition,the Confucian philosophy can be described as: 1.Principle(Li) is inherent in Qi,on which it is based;2.Principle(Li) is inherent in desires,as the endowment of material force,human nature,mind and body achieve unity;3.Principle(Li) is inherent in phenomena,as the primordial force,nature,human life,society,and human history achieve unity.It was concluded that compared to the tradition of Mencianism,that of Xunism is more instrumental in modern Chinese people's spiritual development,construction of knowledge,implementation of democracy,and economic growth.