荀子“称情而立文”的命题如何成立

How Can Xunzi’s Proposition of “Establishing Rituals Appropriate to Qi” Hold?

王国维曾对荀子"称情而立文"的命题提出质疑,认为这个命题直接与荀子"性恶"思想相矛盾。"情"在《荀子》一书中有实情、诚实和情感等几种意思。人们通常把《荀子》中作为"情感"的"情"仅仅当作贬义的东西。其实,《荀子》中的"情"也有褒义和中性的用法。笔者认为,"称情而立文"这个命题能在"性恶论"的前提下得以成立的唯一可能是存在中性的"情";"称情而立文"就是要根据实际情况设立能适当满足人的正常的"情"之礼仪章法。荀子"称情而立文"这个命题可以成立。

Xunzi scholars have proposed that his proposition of＂Establishing Rituals Appropriate to Qi＂ contradicts his view that human nature is bad. This essay argues that ＂qi＂ has various meanings in the Xunzi. One of its meanings refers to human feelings which are neither good nor bad. This sense of qi provides a basis for the validity of Xunzi＇s proposition without having to contradict his theory on human nature.