摩尔·弗兰德斯的伦理困境与笛福的决疑论

Moll Flanders's Ethic Dilemma and Defoe's Casuistry

作为伦理学的一部分,决疑论的核心是"境遇改变事件性质"。受决疑论传统的影响,在《摩尔·弗兰德斯》中,笛福根据弗兰德斯的不同处境,对同样的偷窃行为采取了不同的伦理态度。当她身处自然法则的"必需"状态时,笛福对她的偷窃行窃表示了同情;对超越了"必需"状态的偷窃行为,笛福则进行了反讽,并让她受到了社会法的惩罚。笛福对弗兰德斯偷窃行为表现出来的态度前后不一,是他将决疑论思想中的普遍法则与具体情况相结合的产物。

AS part of ethics, casuistry applies the general rules of religion and morality to particular instances in which ＂circumstances alter cases＂. Strongly influenced by the tradition of casuistry, Defoe adopted different ethic attitudes toward Flanders＇ s thieving in Moll Flanders. Defoe showed sympathy toward Flanders＇ s first thieving when she was in the natural state of ＂necessity＂, beyond which Defoe was ironical, and put her into the hands of human laws. The difference in attitudes toward the same act of thieving reveals that Defoe had applied the universal law of ethics to specific cases.