孔、老性论新探:以“生之谓性”为中心

A New Study On Human Nature of Confucius and Lao Tzu:a Focus on " Man's Inherent Character as the Nature"

"生之谓性"是商周时期人性论的基本论断,人性实指人之本能天性,所以要"节性""度性";而人之生理欲求又是人之生存的必然表现,所以又需"厚生""厚性"。儒道人性论的展开皆是以此为思考的逻辑起点。孔子主张以德节欲,以礼约行,孟子与荀子在此基础上讨论人性善的应然性及现实性。老子则以道诠欲,防止欲望的无限膨胀。《庄子》及《淮南子》强调性以顺道,以道性为人性之本真状态,提倡去伪存真。

The viewpoint that man＇s inherent character is the nature is the basic argument about human nature in the Shang and Zhou dynasties .The meaning of human nature is natural instinct, so it is necessary to ＂moderate instinct＂ and ＂limit instinct＂. However, man＇s physiological desire is an inevitable reflection of man＇s survival, so it is neces- sary to ＂favor life＂ and ＂favor instinct＂. This argument is the logic basis for the theory of human nature of Confucian and Taoism as well as its later development. Confucius advocates that people should regulate desire with moral, and restrain behavior with manners. On the basis of Confucian theory, Mencius and Hsun Tzu discuss the rationality and actuality. But Lao Tzu explains and analyzes human desire from Tao in order to prevent the unlimited expansion of de- sire. Zhuang Zi and Huainan Zi advocate sifting out the true from the false, emphasizing that human nature should follow Tao, and nature of Tao should be the true-self state of human nature.