“从心所欲”如何可以“不逾矩”——在自由与道德之间

How to Follow Your Heart's Desire without Transgressing the Norm: Between Liberty and Morality

自由与道德是伦理学理论研究中的重要课题,也是具有现实意义的问题。中国古代思想史对自由与道德关系的认识,最早可以追溯到孔子《论语·为政》中的重要命题"从心所欲不逾矩"。这句话清晰地表达了孔子对自由与道德的理解:一个人随心所欲作为,不会违背道德。解释和理解这个命题,在自由作为权利受重视、道德作为规范被挑战的时代,有助于人们就自由与道德的关系重新认识中国古代思想家所提供的思想资源。其中的合理成分应该在现代社会发挥作用,有益于自由与道德观念的理论发展和实践展开;同时,对其不合理的成分以及带来的消极影响也应当理性地辨析。

Liberty and morality is not only one of the important issues in theoretical study of ethics, but also an issue with practical significance. Throughout the ancient Chinese intellectual history, the recognition of the relation between liberty and morality could date back to the theme in Wei Zheng of Confucian Analects: I could follow my heart's desire without transgressing the norm. This saying of Confucius presents a clear understanding of liberty and morality: one can act as he/she wishes without behaving immorally. The topic of interpretation and understanding, under the background of liberty valued as the right and morality challenge as a norm, can conduce to people's recognition of ancient wisdom on the basis of the relation. Reasonable elements are believed to contribute to the theoretical development and practice of moralities in modern society. Meanwhile, the unreasonable elements and the negative effects caused by it should not be negligible.