孔子的人性论

Confucius's theory of human nature

学人论孔子人性思想,多以"性相近也,习相远也"一句作为代表。其实,根据孔子实质的人性论,他的人性思想远比这丰富、深刻而系统。孔子将人纳入理性考察范围,结合文明史情况,将观察他人、反思自我两种方法结合起来,发现人性的主要内涵是以"仁"、"礼"等为中心的德性,性近习远的现实人性被要求围绕这一中心而变化,从而确立其在人性内涵中的真正地位;他认定、推重的人性是人性中善的内涵,要求人们通过学习、克己等修养,化不良的现实人性为善的人性。所以,孔子的人性论是倾向于人性善说的;这成为后儒所谓"孔孟之道"的人性论基础。孔子的人性论,还存在着可以和马克思人性论相沟通的内容,可以作为中国古代思想文化的代表,为人类普世价值建设提供积极的思想资源。

When scholars talk about Confucius＇s idea about human nature, ＂Their natures are much the same and their habits become widely different＂ is supposed to be the typical reflection of his idea. In fact, according to his theory of human nature, his idea is richer, profound and systematic. Confucius investigated human beings in a rational way. Based on the history of civilization, he combined investigation of others with self-examination and found that the main connotation of human nature was kindheartedness and courtesy. Actual human nature of the same natures and different habits was supposed to vary around this connotation so as to be central part of human nature. He believed in the kindness of human nature and asked people to learn and restrain their selfishness so as to transform the not so good actual human nature into kind nature. Therefore, Confucius＇s theory of human nature tends to the theory of kind nature, which is the basis of the human nature theory of the doctrine of Confucius and Mencius. Confucius＇s theory of human nature is consistent with Marx＇s theory of human nature, which can be the representative of Chinese ancient ideology and culture and provide positive ideology resources for the construction of universal values.