文章·性·天道--《论语》“性与天道”说的历史诠释与思想新论

The Historical Interpretation and New Research of the Theory of“Nature and the Way of Heaven”in the Analects of Confucius

“性与天道”学说是研究孔子人性论思想的重要材料。这一学说本身并无难解之处,但其背后之义理却颇难索解。其主要涉及了文章与性、天道以及性与天道的关系问题。历代对于文章与性、天道的关系大体可分为两种;一种认为二者之间是有区别的,并非完全对应关系,此说以何晏、朱熹等为代表;一种认为二者之间有着对应关系,前者是后者的表现,后者是前者的本体,此说以皇侃、谢良佐、杨时等为代表。对于性与天道的关系也可分为两种:一种认为二者之间没有关系,如郑玄、何晏等;一种认为二者之间有着密切联系,历代多数注解者持此种看法。结合《论语》及其他相关材料,“性与天道”学说处理的实际是“下学”与“上达”的关系问题。在孔子看来,文章与天道之间是有密切关系的,天道是文章之形上根据,文章是天道实现之表现。孔子还把天命与每个个体都联系起来,从而使得天命对于每个个体来说都具有了普遍性。非但如此,每个个体都可以通过后天的努力上达天命。这种努力的途径就是其所强调的“学”。

The theory of“nature and the way of heaven”is an important material for researching Confucius’theory of human nature.The theory itself is not difficult to understand,but the rationale behind it is difficult to understand.It mainly involves two aspects:one is the relationship between the article and nature and the way of heaven,and the other is the relationship between nature and the way of heaven.The relationship between the article and the nature and the way of heaven can be divided into two types in the past dynasties:one is that there is a difference between the two,not a complete correspondence,which is represented by He Yan and Zhu Xi.One is that there is a corresponding relationship between the two.The former is the expression of the latter,and the latter is the ontology of the former.This view is represented by Huang Kan,Xie Liangzuo,Yang Shi,etc.The relationship between nature and the way of heaven can also be divided into two types:One is that there is no relationship between them,such as Zheng Xuan and He Yan.One is that there is a close relationship between the two,which is held by most annotators in previous dynasties.Combining the Analects of Confucius and other relevant materials,the theory of“nature and the way of heaven”deals with the relationship between“learning”and“reaching the destiny of heaven”.In Confucius’view,there is a close relationship between the article and the way of heaven.The way of heaven is the metaphysical basis of the article,and the article is the manifestation of the way of heaven.Confucius also linked the destiny with each individual,thus making the destiny universal for each individual.Not only that,but every individual can reach his destiny through the efforts.The way of this kind of effort is its emphasis on“learning”.