论荀子的礼法学

Xunzi's Theory of Li–Fa

荀学是一种"知"的理论而非"仁"的理论,富于客观精神而少于价值精神。荀子整合各家,创立礼法学,同时把诸子各家的矛盾带入到了自己的体系之中,表现在良序与苛政之间、性恶与法善之间、法治与管制之间、自发秩序与人定秩序之间诸方面。荀子的矛盾是时代性的矛盾,是儒、法之间的矛盾,是欲在春秋贵族礼制传统与战国君主集权之间两全的必然结果。

Xunzi is known for his objective theory of knowledge, as opposed to an emphasis on values and ren. He integrates various schools of thought to establish a theory of li–fa, which unavoidably inherits their contradictions in its attempt to combine good order and rigorous government, inherently evil human nature and just laws, the rule of law and dictatorship, as well as natural order and man-made order. Entrenched in the values of his era, Xunzi's contradictions can be reduced to that between Confucianism and Legalism; a necessary outcome of his endeavor to balance the aristocratic tradition of rites in the Spring and Autumn period and the monarchical dictatorship of the Warring States period.