德、礼和乐:传统君子人格的三个维度

Morality, Ritual and Music: Three Dimensions of Traditional “Junzi” Personality

君子是中国传统文化中的一个重要形象,也是中国传统文化精神的依托。如果说,在西洋的传统中,绅士(或者说贵族)是其文化形象的代表,那么,在中国的传统中,这个代表非君子莫属。作为中国传统哲学中的一个核心观念,传统君子人格是由德、礼和乐构成的,具体地说,德是君子人格的内在规定性,礼是君子行为的外在限定性,乐是君子人格的精神境界。正是在德、礼和乐的基础上,传统的君子才构成一个完满的形象,主导着中国文化的基本走向。

“Junzi” is an important image in traditional Chinese culture and a support for the spirit of Chinese traditional culture. In the Western tradition, gentlemen (or nobles) are representatives of their cultural image. Then, in the Chinese tradition, this representative is “Junzi”, definitely. What is the connotation of “Junzi” as a core concept in Chinese traditional philosophy? This paper holds that the traditional “Junzi” personality is composed of morality, ritual and music. Specifically, morality is the inherent stipulation of “Junzi” personality, ritual is the external limitation of “Junzi” behavior, and music reflects the spiritual realm of “Junzi” personality. It is on the basis of morality, ritual and music that the traditional “Junzi” constitutes a perfect image and dominates the basic trend of Chinese culture.