“人皆可以为尧舜”的政治哲学意蕴

The Political Philosophical Implication of the Proposition“Anyone Has the Potential to Become Yao or Shun”

孟子“人皆可以为尧舜”的命题从知识论的角度指出了人皆有成为尧舜的内在德性之源,但其更深层意蕴在于政治哲学的层面,意指如尧舜般在立己的基础上立人、兼善天下,施泽于万民,才是仁的最高体现。仁这一目标和境界,不只是个人自我人格完善之所应然,更是华夏族群及文明兴盛之根本,因而是人作为族群一员之最高使命和责任所在。孟子这一思想构成儒家对圣王期盼和追求的主要理路。荀子则从人本性欲求的视角,以“尊君”之“养”进一步激发、促进这种追求。二者从文与质两个维度,在很大程度上造就了华夏民族所特有的“圣王情结”。这种情结构成了中国历史和政治文化以统一为主流和归宿的深层原因。

The proposition by Mencius that“Anyone has the potential to become Yao or Shun”points out that the inherent source of the ethical nature that enables everyone to develop into a sage like Yao or Shun from the perspective of epistemology.However,its deeper implications lie in the domain of political philosophy,which suggests that the highest embodiment of benevolence is to achieve oneself and then lead others and benefit the world,just like Yao and Shun did.This goal and realm of benevolence is not only the natural completion of one’s own personality,but also the foundation of the prosperity of the Chinese nation and civilization,and therefore the highest mission and responsibility of man as a member of the ethnic group.Thus,this idea of Mencius constitutes the main theoretical path for Confucianism expectation and pursuit of the Sage King.Xunzi further stimulates and promotes this pursuit from the perspective of human nature and desires,using the“respect the king”concept of consecrating.With their different approaches in terms of culture and nature,Mencius and Xunzi have greatly contributed to the unique Chinese“sage-king complex”and form the profound reason that unification has become the mainstream and ultimate destiny of China’s history and political culture.