忠恕与行孝:曾子“仁以为己任”发微

Zhong Shu and Xiao:A New Interpretation of Zeng Zi’s Concept of Ren

“仁以为己任”一语反映了曾子传承孔子仁道的志行,义蕴丰富。“仁以为己任”与曾子独特的人生履历密切相关,高扬了“士志于道”的理想人格,继承了“为仁由己”的孔门师教。曾子的“忠恕观”指内外兼修、身心俱养的反己省察活动,面向一般性的社会人际关系;而他的行孝实践,则面向家庭内的亲子关系。忠恕与行孝,是曾子落实“仁以为己任”的关键层面。与子夏“学以致道”的为学观形成鲜明对比,曾子“仁以为己任”高扬了德性践履的为学进路。孔门后学在儒道传承中各有功绩,而肯定曾子传孔子仁道,抛弃儒道传承中“独得”的观念,有助于化解曾子传道问题的争议,是系统探究儒家道统观的组成部分。

Ren is the key concept of Zeng Zi’s thought.Zeng Zi’s concept of Ren is closely related to his unique life experience,which promotes Confucius’ideal of personality and inherits the thought of Confucius.Zeng Zi’s view of“Zhong and Shu”refers to self-cultivation,mainly with regards to social interpersonal relations.His practice of Xiao refers to the parent-child relationship in the family.Zhong Shu and Xiao are the key aspects of Zeng Zi’s concept of Ren.In contrast with Zi Xia’s views,Zeng Zi’s concept of Ren mainly involves the practice of morality.Confucius’disciples have their contributions to the development of Confucianism and Zeng Zi is not the only successor of Confucius’thought.