论朱熹建构鬼神理论的必然性

The Necessity of Zhu Xi's Theory of Spirits

朱熹是宋代一位具有科学思想的理学家,但科学思想却没有使他走向无神论道路,反而使他接受鬼神,并建构了鬼神理论。对此,我们不能简单地断之为倒退落后,如果对朱熹"了解之同情",则能理解他建构鬼神理论之苦衷。四大因素迫使朱熹建构鬼神理论:一是现实中的"鬼神"现象必须得到解答;二是儒学典籍中的鬼神之事无法回避;三是必须应对佛道鬼神论的挑战;四是道统的合法性辩护。

Zhu Xi （朱熹） was a Neo - Confucian with scientific thoughts in Song Dynasty. However, his scientific thought did not help him develop atheism but construct the theory of spirits. One can comprehend the reason for this with sympathetic understanding. Four factors made Zhu Xi did so. First, the phenomena of spirits in reality needed answering. Second, the facts of spirits in the records of Confucianism couldnt be avoi- ded. Thirdly, the challenge of Buddhism towards spirits needed to be faced. Lastly, the Confucian Orthodoxy must be defended legally.