张载论性——兼论牟宗三对张载性论的阐释

Zhang Zai′s view on human nature as well as Mou Zongsan′s interpretation of Zhang Zai′s idea

张载认为,性可以从体、用两方面来理解。体之性是太虚之气所具有的“虚而神”的本性,是万物统一的根源、变化的动力,表现为神妙不测的变化性能;用之性是太虚之气所具有的大化流行之妙用,表现为天道流行过程。人之性是体之性、用之性在人伦社会中的呈现,可区分为天地之性和气质之性,天地之性是纯粹至善的,气质之性是恶的来源。人性修养的目的就是要根除气质之恶,复归纯粹至善的天地之性。要回归天地之性,使天地之性统率气质之性,既要“继善成性”,又要“变化气质”。

Zhang Zai,based on his study of Taixu—a state of void in both space and things,concludes that human nature can be comprehended both ontologically and pragmatically.Ontologically,human nature,the very nature of"emptiness and spirit"as well as the root of the unity of all things and the dynamics of change,embodies the miraculous and unpredictable change.Pragmatically,human nature,the gradual change,embodies the natural law of all things in the universe.The human nature,which is the manifestation of the ontological nature and the pragmatical nature in society,can be classified into the properties of heaven and earth,which is purely good,and the nature of temperament,which is the source of evil.Therefore,in order to eradicate the evil and return to the purely good properties of heaven and earth,humans need to"inherit good characters and make them come into human nature",and to"change the nature of temperament into the properties of heaven and earth".