《大学》思想体系的中国特质——基于元典和古代诠释传统的本体论透视

On Chinese Characteristics as Reflected in the Great Learning:In Ontological Perspective of Its Original Text and Commentaries in Ancient Tradition

从本体论视角看,《大学》没有明确的宇宙本原作为最高根据,这就决定了它的伦理和政治思想不会有先天的合法性预设,也不可能以永恒正义、上帝和自然法为基础来完成理论设计。它只承认具体事物各有存在的道理,人与人要有相互的同情和尊重,即仁爱。追求仁爱,就是"止于至善",是人类的根本目标。而以认识至善为任务的"格物致知"是正心、诚意、修身的基础,是在"明明德"的范畴内达到"止于至善"的第一步。有了对至善的理解,就要在齐家、治国、平天下的活动中遵循"絜矩之道",即我不愿意接受跟我有某种关系的人怎样对待我的,我也绝不以这种方式对待我与之有同样关系的对方,这是在"亲民"的范畴里实现"止于至善"的根本一着。这样,"止于至善"就与"明明德"和"亲民"紧紧地联系起来,形成一个整体。这就是《大学》的体系——一个没有宇宙本原作最高本体,而且以否定性的相互原则为底线道德来建设理想社会的方案,显示了鲜明的中国特质。

In ontological perspective,there is no cosmological principle in the Great Learning,and this proves that neither is there any a priori legitimate assumption in its theory of ideal social and political system,nor is it true that the ethical and political thought in the Canon has ever been designed in light of eternal justice,God and natural laws.It merely accepts being for being’s sake,and people should share compassion and respect for each other.This is known as ren(benevolence),the pursuit of which is,as described in the Great Learning,'resting in the highest excellence.'With the attainment as the ultimate mission,investigating things and carrying knowledge to the utmost extent turn to be a basis,upon which being sincere in one’s thinking,rectifying one’s heart,and cultivating one’s personality belie.This is the primary step,according to the Canon,to illustrate illustrious virtues.Once capturing the profound nature of the highest excellence,people can do well in regulating families,ordering well states,and tranquilizing all under the Heaven through applying the principle of such reciprocity as one will never impose unto others with relations what one does not desire to be imposed unto by others with whom one shares some relations.Therefore,it is a key to realize what is called as resting in the highest excellence in the domain of people-loving.In this way,resting in the highest excellence,illustrating illustrious virtues,and loving people come into unity in a systematic theory,which has only the principle of reciprocity in a negative way,rather than any a priori being as the ultimate one.Contrary to theological and ontological theories,such views in the Great Learning as resting in highest excellence,illustrating illustrious virtue and loving people are very characteristic of Chinese thoughts.