论荀子的“统类”思维及其意义

On Hsun Tzu's Thought of "Unifying Classes" and Its Significance

"统类"在古代多解为纲纪、条例,但在荀子那里"统类"更多的表现为一种重要的思维方法、思想观念。"统"即为谋求精通、领悟先王之道的精神原则而奉行的一种统贯性思维,其目的在于融会贯通以求其根本;"类"则要求依"统"所得之法义精神随应时代变革推出新的秩序规范,并保证其有效性、适应性。"统类"在本质上是荀子为了避免儒家王道礼法陷入僵化而确立的一种重要的思想观念。

In ancient times, the idea of "Unifying Classes" or Tonglei was interpreted as disciplines and regulations mostly, but it was more of an important way of thinking in Hsun Tzu′s mind."Unifying" or Tong is actually a kind of comprehensive thinking for mastering and understanding the spirit of the former king′s kingly way, and its purpose is to integrate and penetrate in order to achieve its fundamentals. While "Class" or Lei requires that a new norm of order be put forward in accordance with the spirit derived from Tong and with the changes of the times, and its effectiveness and adaptability be guaranteed. In essence,"Unifying Classes" is an important idea established by Hsun Tzu in order to avoid the rigidity of Confucianism.