《老子》中“器”的道德意蕴

The Moral Intention of "Qi" in Laozi

"器"在《老子》中多次出现,它的背后是老子对人的本性及道德的思考。"器"中蕴含着一个与"德"息息相关的发展过程:"德"—异化—道德—回归—"德"。"器"因得"道"而有其"德"即独特本性;作为"神器"的人在发展中偏离"道",发生异化,使自身和他物之"德"被扭曲;这一状况促使人的道德自我觉醒,自觉通过道德回归于"德",终成"大器"。"器"的这一道德意蕴也启示现代人应守住本性,尊重包容他人,学会知足知止。

＂Qi＂ occurs many times in Laozi, which reflects Lao Tzu＇s thoughts about the nature of human and morality. ＂Qi＂ contains a developing process which is closely related to ＂De＂, namely from ＂De＂ to alienation, morality, return and ＂De＂ in succession. ＂Qi＂ acquires its ＂De＂, i.e. the specific nature, from ＂Tao＂ while human as ＂the sacred Qi＂ deviates from ＂Tao＂ and alienates in the process of development, distorting his and other beings through ＇ ＂De＂. This situation tends to awaken the moral self of human, guiding human to return to ＂De＂ morality consciously and becoming ＂the greatest Qi＂ in the end. The moral intention of ＂Qi＂ also inspires people in the modern society that they ought to maintain their nature, respect and tolerate others, and learn how to keep content and where to stop.