从比较研究的立场看孟子与保罗人性论的特质及意义

On Peculiarity and Significance of Both Mencius' and Paul's Theory of Human Nature:A Comparative Study

孟子与保罗分属于两个性质迥异的文化系统,一个是以人为本的儒家哲学传统,一个是以神为中心的基督教信仰传统;二者的生存处境不同,思考问题的出发点不同,思想进路亦不相同。如果能给予双方的话语以同等程度的重视,以比较研究而非判教的立场和态度对待孟子与保罗的人性论,透过分歧发现双方各自独特的洞见与智慧,不仅有助于加深对人的存在本性的全面认识和理解,而且有利于促进基督教与儒学这两种异质学术的深入交流和沟通。

Mencius （372-289 BCE） and Saint Paul （5-67 CE） belonged to two sharply different cultural systems--one was the human-oriented Confucian philosophical tradition, the other was the God-centered Christian faith tradition. They were also different in their living conditions, thestarting point of their pondering over questions and problems, and their mode of thinking. If we can pay equal degrees of attention to their discourses, and treat their theories of human nature with a standpoint and attitude of comparative study rather than religious judgment, discern their peculiar insights and wisdom through their discrepancies, not only will it be helpful in order to deepen an overall cognition and understanding of the innate nature of hu- man beings, but also profitable to improve thorough exchanges and communication between these two heterogeneous academic modes of Confucianism and Christianity.