古代印度与欧洲的平等观念比较

A Comparison of Equality Concept between Ancient India and Europe

平等观念是古代印度和欧洲思想史上的重要内容。两地此类思想的提出反映了当时社会形态发展变化的重要特征,与不同阶层之间的利益冲突和政治诉求有直接的关联。古印度的平等观念主要反映了四种姓里中下种姓的主张,较典型的是佛教的众生平等思想和顺世论的反种姓高低区分的思想。欧洲古代一些思想家也有平等观念,如亚里士多德就认为稳定和安宁的社会使人们相互间处于一种平等的状态。欧洲古代的平等思想常受神学的影响,不少思想家所理解的平等是强调人在信奉神方面的平等。在文艺复兴时期,欧洲不少思想家明确主张人生而平等。古代印度和欧洲的平等观念存在一些重要的同异之处。同的方面主要表现在:二者的平等观念都与各自的社会变化密切相关;都涉及宗教的观念;都在近代社会中获得较多支持。异的方面主要表现在:欧洲的平等观念论及天赋人权多些,而古印度的平等观在这方面论述相对少些;印度的平等观念与种姓问题联系紧密,而欧洲的平等观念不都牵扯出身问题;古印度的平等观念主要是某一派或思想分支的主张,从古至今变化不大,而欧洲的平等观念相对印度变化较大,各时期的平等观念主要是社会中一些主张变革的人提出的。梳理分析这方面的内容,对我们认识人类社会的发展特点,借鉴吸收古代思想史中的宝贵遗产,有积极意义。

The concept of equality is the important content in the ideological history of ancient India and Europe.The emergence of such thoughts in both places reflected the important characteristics of the development and change of social forms at that time.They are directly related to conflicts of interest and political demands among different classes.The concept of equality in ancient India mainly reflected the assertion of the lower and middle castes of the four castes,and the more typical ones were the idea of equality of all living beings in Buddhism and the anti-caste discrimination thought of Lokāyata.Some ancient European thinkers also had the concept of equality.Aristotle,for example,believed that a stable and peaceful society meant that people were in an equal state with each other.The idea of equality in ancient Europe is often influenced by theology.Many thinkers understand equality to emphasize the equality of people in believing in god.During the Renaissance,many European thinkers explicitly advocated that all men are created equal.There are some important similarities and differences between ancient Indian and European notions of equality.The similarities are mainly reflected in the following aspects:the concept of equality between the two is closely related to their own social changes;Both involve the idea of religion;Both have gained more support in modern society.The differences are mainly reflected in the following aspects:The European concept of equality talks more about natural human rights,while the ancient Indian concept of equality talks less about this aspect;Indian notions of equality are closely linked to caste issues,whereas European notions of equality are not always linked to issues of birth;The concept of equality in ancient India was mainly advocated by a certain school or branch of thought,which has not changed much since ancient times,while the concept of equality in Europe has changed more than that in India,and the concept of equality in various periods was mainly proposed by some people who advocated reform in society.It is of positive significance for us to understand the development characteristics of human society and to learn from and absorb the precious heritage in the history of ancient thoughts.