荀子“群道”思想的渊源及其要义

The Origin of Xunzi’s Thinking on Qundao and Its Essence

荀子的“群道”思想兼具人道与天道之内涵,是一种包括人与自然在内的“万物皆得其宜”的和谐系统。荀子之所以要在其理想治理框架中贯穿这一“群道”思想,与当时社会环境的重大变化密不可分。荀子所处的时代,铁质农具的使用和水利工程的建造改写了人们对天人关系的传统认知,难能可贵的是,荀子能够对这些繁荣表象进行深刻反思,正视人的能动性及人与自然的可持续发展,并在此基础上提出“群道”这一富有创见的思想。对荀子“群道”思想渊源的探究不仅有益于深入了解荀子及其思想,而且对于我们今天构筑生命共同体也有一定的启发意义。

Xunzi’s thought of Qundao has both human and heavenly connotations and it is a harmonious system of“everything is suitable”including man and nature.The reason why Xunzi wants to run through this thought in his ideal governance framework is inseparable from the major changes inthe social environment at that time.In Xunzi’s era,the use of iron agricultural tools and the construction of water conservancy projects have rewritten people’s traditional cognition of the relationship between man and nature.What is commendable is that Xunzi can deeply reflect on these prosperous appearances,face the human initiative and the sustainable development between man and nature,and on this basis,put forward the idea of Qundao.The exploration of the origin of Xunzi’s thoughts of Qundao is not only beneficial to a deep understanding of Xunzi and his thoughts,but also has certain enlightening significance for us to build a community of life today.