孔子“性相近”说的历史诠释与思想新论

A Historical Interpretation and New Exploration of Confucius's Theoryof“Xing Xiangjin”

“性相近也,习相远也”是《论语》记载孔子人性论思想的直接材料。历代学者对此有着不同的诠释,这些诠释虽然都掺杂了时代和解释者本人等方面的因素,但也从某些方面揭示了“性相近”说的某些内涵,对于我们认识和了解“性相近”说有着重要的启发意义。当然,要真正理解“性相近”说,除了历史诠释外,我们还需要结合《论语》和其他相关材料。从《论语》及相关材料来看,孔子所说的“性相近也,习相远也”,强调人性的先天情感和后天学习之间相辅相成的关系。在孔子看来,人一出生就处于家庭关系、人际关系、政治关系之下。这种关系首先表现为家庭关系,这说明人天生就具有孝悌等情感,这也是实现仁的前提和基础;但仅仅具有这种先天情感还是不够的,只有通过后天的学习才能成就自身、完善自身、实现仁德。

“By nature,men are nearly alike;by practice,they get to be wide apart”(Xing Xiangjin,Xi Xiangyuan)is the direct material of Confucius's theory of human nature recorded in the Analects.Interpretations of this vary from dynasty to dynasty with era and the interpreter per se undoubtedly factoring in.These historical interpretations shed some light on“Xing Xiangjin”,which have important enlightening significance for us.But in addition to historical interpretations,we also need to combine the Analects and other relevant materials for exploring the true meaning of“Xing Xiangjin”.“Xing Xiangjin,Xi Xiangyuan” as Confucius said has its specific connotation,that is,it emphasizes the complementary relationship between the innate emotion of human nature and the acquired learning.In Confucius's view,a man is born into a family with interpersonal and political relations.This kind of relationships is first family ones,which means that a man is born with feelings such as filial piety-the premise and basis for realizing benevolence.However,it is not enough to have this kind of innate emotion alone.Only through the acquired learning can we fulfill ourselves,improve ourselves and realize benevolence.