从孟子对“四心”的论述看性善

On Good Nature of Man from a Perspective of Menci's Expatiation of “Four Virtues”

孟子对"四心"有两种论述:一方面孟子指出"‘四心’是仁义礼智之端",另一方面孟子又认为"‘四心’是仁义礼智"。孟子的这两种论述揭示了"四心"具有双重内涵:"‘四心’是仁义礼智之端","端"作"端源"解,"四心"即是仁义礼智的根基;而"‘四心’是仁义礼智"则是落实、显现的"是","四心"需要经过后天的扩充、存养才是仁义礼智。孟子以心言性,"四心"的双重内涵表明性善也具有双重内涵:"四心"是仁义礼智的根基表明人具有成就道德的根基,这是性善立本论;"四心"需要扩充、存养落实为仁义礼智,这是性善存养论。

Menci had two interpretations of ＂four virtues＂. On the one hand, he pointed out that they referred to sources of humanity, justice, propriety and wisdom. On the other hand, he thought that they were just humanity, justice, propriety and wisdom. The two interpretations reveal ＂four virtues＂ have two connotations. Namely, they are the source and foundation of humanity, justice, propriety and wisdom. These emphasize the implementation. They need the postnatal expansion and cul- tivation. Menci talked about human nature with virtues. The double connotation of them shows that the good human nature has also double connotation. As the foundation, they show that man has basis for acquiring morals. This is the theory of good nature as the root. The four virtues need to be expanded and cultivated to humanity, justice, propriety and wisdom. This is the cultivation theory of good nature.