亚里士多德“德性”概念的三层涵义及其内在统一

The Triple Meaning of Aristotle’s Concept of“Virtue”and Their Internal Unity

因所指对象和使用场景的不同,亚里士多德伦理著作中德性一词的内涵往往有所差异,但仍然是相互联系、彼此支撑的。德性的原初意义表示一切事物本质功能的完好发挥以及事物朝向自身目的的完满倾向,是自然科学意义上的目的论展开;在伦理讨论中,德性往往是道德德性的简称,表示行为者的选择合乎适度品质的基本要义;在最终意义上,德性是行为者为了实现幸福生活所要具备的完满灵魂品质,是人类突破自身有限性与条件性的现实途径。伦理学的实践性本质是理解德性的三层涵义递进及其内在统一的基本前提,德性统一性则体现了亚里士多德政治学说现实性与超越性的双重维度。

Because of the difference of its object and the scene of its using,the word“Virtue”in Aristotle’s ethical works has diverse connotations,but they are still interconnected and supported by each other.The original meaning of virtue means the perfect exertion of the essential function of all things and the perfect tendency of things towards their own ends.It is the applying of teleology,which is in the sense of natural science;In ethical discussion,virtue is often the abbreviation of moral virtue,which means the moral agent’s choice conforms to the basic meaning of the doctrine of mean;In the final sense,virtue is the soul’s perfect quality of human being in order to achieve a happy life.It is a realistic way for human beings to break through their own limitations and conditions.The practical nature of ethics is the basic premise to understand the triple meaning of virtue and their internal unity.The unity of virtue embodies the dual dimensions of reality and transcendence of Aristotle’s political theory.