荀子人性论的社会价值推演: 再思平等与等级

Social Value Derivation of Xunzi's Theory of Human Nature:Rethinking Equality and Hierarchy

荀子“性恶论”不仅包括“性恶”“化性起伪”,还包括“性伪合而天下治”。“性”和“伪”两个概念的核心含义是“天生”和“人为”。以此反观平等和等级,则平等是性,即人的天生要求,而等级则是伪,即人的人为造作。在荀子思想中,平等和等级这两个貌似相互矛盾的概念呈现出“性伪合而天下治”的相容一面。人性内容相同的事实及其平等要求带来了“礼崩乐坏”的结果,这使得带有等级特征的礼义制度成为必要;同时,礼义制度不但“养欲”而且护育了“涂之人”成圣的可能性。因而在礼义制度中,平等和等级并不是完全对立的,平等要求带来了等级的制约,同时等级也容摄了平等并为成圣的实现提供了条件。

Xunzi's“theory of evil nature”includes not only“evil nature”and“changing nature from the artificial”but also“combination of nature and the artificial then world gets governed”.The core meanings of the two concepts of“nature”and“the artificial”are“innate”and“man-made”.In contrast to equality and hierarchy,equality is innate,which is the natural requirement of human beings,while hierarchy is artificial,which is the man-made creation of human beings.In Xunzi's thought,equality and hierarchy,two seemingly contradictory concepts,present the compatible side of“combination of nature and the artificial then world gets governed”.The fact that the content of human nature is the same and its demand for equality brings the result of“rites collapse and music collapse”,makes the rites and justice order with hierarchical characteristics become necessary.At the same time,the rites and justice order not only“nurtures desire”but also protects the possibility of sanctification of“normal man”.Therefore,in the order of the rites and justice,equality and hierarchy are not completely opposite.Equality demands the restriction of hierarchy,while hierarchy also accommodates equality and provides conditions for the realization of sanctification.