荀子的“礼论”及其现代意义

The Modern Signaficance of Xunzi's Theory of Li

礼是中国文化的核心观念,既包括社会制度也涵盖人伦准则,是广义上的社会规范。旧礼的根本问题在于片面强调自觉而忽视自愿,并导致了礼的教条化、异化,从而造成了"礼教"问题。从"礼学"大师荀子的"礼论"出发,我们可以重思礼的本质,理顺社会规范与人的需要的关系,重新恢复礼的"情理统一"的本来面目,从而为今天的社会规范建设提供一面镜子。

Li,conceived as also the social norms that consisits of social institutions and interaction guidelins,plays a key role in Chinese culture.The problem of old Li roots in its asymmetry and unbalance between rational consciousness and willingly voluntarily in which the former overwhelms the latter and of which the the consequences is a dogmatic alienation of Li and constraining of people,known also as the problem of＂feudal code of ethics＂.Inspired by Xunzi,the recognized master of Li,we can recover the true nature of Li which is precisely a symmetry and balance between Qing and Li,consciousness and willingly voluntarily,where we can clarify the relationship between social norms and people＇s need once again.A so constructed Li could be a mirror of reviewing the loss and gain of today＇s norm construction and a guideline for our social practise.