传统道德的功利因素及其评价

Assessment of the Utilitarian Elements of Traditional Moral System

传统道德体系并不像人们所理解的那样 ,是禁欲主义和重义而轻利的。实际上 ,传统道德包含着许多功利因素。孔子的“利民”、“惠民”、“富民” ,孟子的“制民之产” ,荀子的“人生而有欲”等。传统道德重视功利 ,也重视以礼节之 。

The traditional moral system is not what we usually considered to be asceticism with emphasis on righteousness regardless of material gains.In fact,it consists of many utilitarian elements,as demostrated in the ideas of 'Benefiting the People','Favoring the People' and'Enriching the People' advocated by Confucius,the principle of 'Attending to the Property of the People' initiated by Mencius and the belief of Xun Tzu that 'Men are born with desires',etc.Traditional moral system is a moderate utilitarianism which attaches great importance to material gains under the restraint of rules of propriety.