家中有家:“分家”的理论探源

Family out of Family: Exploration on Source of “Family Property Division” Theory

以诸子均分制为主要实践形态的分家制度,对中国社会具有深远影响。本文通过对先秦儒家文献中有关分家内容的分析和解读,挖掘诸子均分制与宗法制的内在关联,指出分家制度可能的理论起源。儒家文献中分家的理论形态是一个漫长的过程,《仪礼》和《礼记》的有关条目指出,宗法制下大功亲所组成的家庭既是异居同财的生活单位,又以“父子一体”为主轴协调多组“一体”关系,完成抚育、奉养和祭祀的过程。通过这种漫长的分家,大功家庭为小家庭做好日后变成新大功家庭的各种准备,也实现了宗法制下家族的延续和发展。

The family division system with “equal division system among sons” as the main practical form has played profound influence on Chinese society.Through analysis and interpretation of relative content in the pre-Qin Confucian literature, this paper excavates the internal connection between the “equal division system among sons” and the patriarchal clan legal system, and points out the possible theoretical origin of the division system.The theoretical form of family property division in Confucian literature is a long process.Relevant items from the books of The Etiquette and The Book of Rites point out that under patriarchal clan system, Dagong families are not only living units sharing common property while living separately, but also coordinating the relationship of various families into “one unity” with the “father and son” as the main axis, and complete the process of nurturing, supporting and sacrifice offering. Through a long process of family property division, Dagong families have made various preparations for Xiaogong families to develop into new Dagong families, while at the same time it has realized the continuation and development of the family under the patriarchal system.