欲望的克服如何可能?——先秦儒家的道德心理学诠释

How to Overcome the Desires?—An Interpretation from the Perspective of Pre-Qin Confucian Moral Psychology

欲望和道德的关系一直是先秦儒家哲学的一个中心议题。无论是孔子、孟子还是荀子,他们都主张克服欲望的羁绊,塑造道德的人格。然而在如何达到这一目的的途径上,他们持有不同的立场。孟子主张通过"寡欲""养气""立志"的内在方式来实现对于欲望的克服和道德良知的发展;荀子则主张通过学习"礼法"的外在努力来充实"义",使之成为克服和疏导欲望和情感的道德力量。相比于孟子的内在方式而言,荀子的外在方式无疑更加具有现实性和可操作性,能够更加有效地实现儒家道德理想。

The relationship between desires and moralities is a central issue in pre-Qin Confucian philosophy. Confucius, Mencius and Xunzi all argued for overcoming the barriers of desires and cultivating moral character. However, as for the approaches to attaining this goal, they held different positions. Mencius argued for an internal approach, that is, ＂ reducing desires＂, ＂ nourishing vital energy＂, and ＂ having aspirations＂, to overcome the desires and develop the moral sprout; while Xunzi argued for an external approach, that is, studying the rituals and laws and regulations to fill up yi （propriety）, which could become the moral force in overcoming and channeling the desires and emotions. Compared with the Mencius＇ internal approach, Xunzrs external approach is more realistic and operative, and therefore, it could attain the Confucian moral ideal more effectively.