孔子的“义”概念:适宜权智还是绝对的道德原则或价值?

Confucius'Concept of"Yi"(义):Situational Appropriateness or Absolute Moral Principle and Value?

关于孔子乃至儒家的“义”概念,传统训诂多以“义者宜也”释之,其现代变体则有“情境适宜性”“权变”和“实践智慧”等诸种哲学诠释。实际上,从训诂上看,一律以“宜”训“义”是不通的;从德行上看,这些现代诠释混淆了“义”与“权”“智”的区别;从思想上看,这些诠释混淆了某种情境下具体行动的权变智慧与行动背后不变的道德原则或道德价值之间的区别。此种诠释看似抬高了孔子的智慧,实则是一桩美丽的误会。孔子“义”概念与其说是情境适宜性的权变智慧,毋宁说是绝对的不可违背的道德原则或价值理想。

As for the concept of"yi"(义)of Confucius and even Confucianism,the traditional exegesis often interprets it as"yi is appropriate"(义者宜也).Its modern variants have various philosophical interpretations such as"situational appropriateness","adaptation to circumstances"”and"practical wisdom",In fact,from the point of view of exegesis,it is not feasible to interpret"yi(义,righteousness)with"yi"(宜,appropriateness).From the moral point of view,these modern interpretations confuse the differences between"righteousness"and"wisdom".These interpretations confuse the contingent wisdom of specific actions in a certain situation with the constant moral principles or moral values behind the actions.This interpretation seems to elevate the wisdom of Confucius,but in fact it is a beautiful misunderstanding.Confucius'concept of"yi"(义,righteousness)is not so much a contingent wisdom of situational appropriateness,Rather,it is an absolute and inviolable moral principle or value ideal.