司马迁礼思想研究——以《史记·礼书》为研究核心

A Look at Sima Qian’s Thoughts on Rites—Centered on“Treatise on Rites(Li Shu)”in the Records of the Grand Historian(Shi Ji)

司马迁的礼思想主要反映在《史记·礼书》及《史记》其他篇章里。《礼书》是否为司马迁所写,历来争议颇多。从先秦汉代文献互引情况及《礼书》思想内容看,司马迁是其作者。司马迁的礼思想包括几方面:礼的起源说,认为礼源于养人之欲、因世情而制定;礼的原则,包括礼必从本,重中庸适宜,兼重情、仪,与时俱变,重等级次序等;礼的功用,包括规范人伦纲常、塑建社会秩序,提高个人修养,对治国强国、巩固政权、一统天下起着重要的作用。司马迁对尧、秦、汉高祖、汉武帝这几个时段礼制的特点提出精辟到位的评论。司马迁的礼思想继承孔子、荀子、《礼记》,自成体系,与《礼记》有同有异,在先秦汉代礼学史中应占一个席位。

Sima Qian’s ritual thoughts are mainly reflected in the“Treatise on Rites(Li Shu)”of the Records of the Grand Historian(Shi Ji)and other chapters in the book.Whether the“Li Shu”was written by Sima Qian has always been a subject of controversy.Given the cross-citation of documents that happened in the pre-Qin and Han dynasties and the ideological content of this article,Sima Qian should be ascertained as the author.Sima Qian’s ritual thoughts include several aspects:1)the Origin of Li(Rites),which suggests that Li originated from cultivating humans’desires and is formulated according to worldly affairs;2)the Principles of Li,which suggests that rites must fundamentally value moderation,appropriateness,sentiments and etiquettes,advance with the times,and respect hierarchical orders;and 3)the Functions of Li,which includes standardizing human ethics and building social order.Li plays an important role in ruling and strengthening the country,consolidating the regime,and unifying the world.Sima Qian made a condensed comment on the characteristics of the ritual system while under the ruling of Emperor Yao,the First Qin Emperor(Qin Shi Huang),Emperor Gaozu of Han,and Emperor Wu of Han.Sima Qian’s ritual thoughts formed a system of its own while inheriting the thoughts of Confucius and Xunzi,as well as the Confucian ideas depicted in the Book of Rites(Li Ji).Sima Qian’s ritual thoughts have similarities to as well as differences from what was depicted in the Book of Rites(Li Ji)and he deserves a position in the history of Li in the pre-Qin and Han dynasties.