人性动机与德性之源——苏格兰启蒙学者的道德动机理论研究

Motives in Human Nature and Sources of Virtue——A Study of the Moral Motivation Theories of Scottish Enlightenment Scholars

道德动机问题是道德哲学和道德心理学的核心问题之一,探讨的是道德行为的动力之源,需要考察道德实践中行为者的心理机制。准确解读苏格兰启蒙思想中的道德动机理论,至少需涉及三个方面的相关因素:一是区别于传统宗教神学的德性信条,在启蒙语境中对德性之源的重新定位;二是将道德行为关联于启蒙人学研究,发现道德动机在人类本性中所体现的内在原则与恒常定律;三是结合文明发展阶段论,探讨道德动机在现代商业社会中的运作机制和正义德性建构之可能。总体来看,苏格兰启蒙学者的道德动机研究既糅合了情感与理性的功用,又包含了道德感、同情共感和更为宽泛的利益观念,并且结合苏格兰社会转型的历史语境发展出一套德性之源和社会正义的理论话语,为现代工商业的利益追求和社会秩序构建提供了合理性诠释。

As one of the core issues in moral philosophy and moral psychology,moral motivation deals with the sources of drives for moral behavior which entails the examination of the psychological mechanism of the agent in moral experience.An accurate interpretation of the moral motivation theories of Scottish Enlightenment thinkers needs to involve at least the following three dimensions:first,the relocation of sources of virtue in the context of the Enlightenment as distinct from doctrines of virtue based on traditional theology;second,the connection between moral behavior and the Enlightenment science of man to uncover internal principles and constant laws of moral motivation in human nature;third,the perspective of the stadial theory of civilization for discussion of the operation of moral motivation and the possibility of the construction of virtue and justice in contemporary commercial society.Overall,the research on moral motivation by Scottish Enlightenment scholars blended the functions of sentiment and reason while combining moral sense,sympathy and a broader notion of interests,from which a theoretical discourse regarding sources of virtue and social justice was developed addressing the historical context of Scotland's social transformation and providing legitimacy for the pursuit of interests and shaping of social order in modern industrial and commercial society.