儒学:本然形态、历史分化与未来走向——以“仁”与“礼”为视域

Original Form,Historical Differentiation and Future Trends of Confucianism:From the Perspectives of “Ren”and “Li”

儒学的原初形态表现为"仁"与"礼"的统一。"仁"首先关乎普遍的价值原则,并与内在的精神世界相涉。在价值原则这一层面,"仁"以肯定人之为人的存在价值为基本内涵;内在的精神世界则往往取得人格、德性、境界等形态。相对于仁,"礼"更多地表现为现实的社会规范和现实的社会体制。就社会规范来说,"礼"可以视为引导社会生活及社会行为的基本准则;作为社会体制,"礼"则具体化为各种社会的组织形式,包括政治制度。从"仁"与"礼"本身的关系看,二者之间更多地呈现相关性和互渗性,后者同时构成了儒学的原初取向。作为历史的产物,儒学本身经历了历史演化的过程,儒学的这种历史演化,同时伴随着其历史的分化,后者主要体现于"仁"与"礼"的分野。从儒学的发展看,如何在更高的历史层面回到"仁"和"礼"统一的儒学原初形态,是今天所面临的问题。回归"仁"和"礼"的统一,并非简单的历史复归,它的前提之一是"仁"和"礼"本身的具体化。以"仁"与"礼"为视域,自由人格与现实规范、个体领域与公共领域、和谐与正义相互统一,并赋予"仁"和"礼"的统一以新的时代意义。对儒学的以上理解,同时体现了广义的理性精神。

The original form of Confucianism is the unity of 'ren'( humaneness) and 'li'( behavioral propriety). Ren involves not only universal principles of value but our internal spiritual world as well. At the level of value principles,ren is essentially to affirm human beings' value; while in the internal spiritual world ren is manifested in the forms of personality,virtue and realm of existence,etc. On the contrary,li is often embodied in real social codes and social systems. As social codes,li can be regarded as basic norms that guide social life and social behaviors; as social systems,li is embodied in various social organizations,including political systems. In terms of their relationship,ren and li are related and mutually permeable,which constitutes the initiative state of Confucianism. In the historical process, Confucianism experienced its historical differentiation,especially the division of ren and li. As to develop Confucianism nowadays,the main issue is how to return to the original form of the unity of ren and li at a higher historical level. Returning to the unity of ren and li doesn't mean to restore its past state. In contrast,such returning shall develop ren and li in new historical conditions. On the one hand,free personality and real norms,individual sphere and public sphere,harmony and justice shall be unified from the perspectives of ren and li; on the other,the unity of ren and li shall achieve its new significance under present context. This understanding of Confucianism also presents the rational spirit in a broad sense.