以礼节情与以道化情——先秦儒道“情”论之比较

Control Feelings by Rites and Transform Feelings by Tao:Comparison of the Feelings Theory between Confucianism and Taoism in the pre-Qin Period

“情”是中国哲学中人性论和性情论的重要范畴。“情”在儒道两家的思想体系中具有不同的价值和地位。儒家“重情”,将亲情视作人伦道德秩序建构的基点,强调对“四端”道德情感的培育;儒家教化本质上是一种性情教,以诗教来兴发感动人心,使人得性情之正;儒家因人情而制礼,以礼乐来缘饰和节制人的情感,使之达于质文相济的中和之境。道家认为心性修养应以恬淡寡欲为上德,主张以道化情,超脱情执,复返自然,故表现出“无情”或“寡情”的倾向。儒道两家之情论殊途同归,都崇尚真诚,反对虚伪;主张情理融合,达到中和境界;提倡人格修养以能超越一己之私情、达到天人合一的圣人为理想境界。

“Feelings”is an important category in the theory of Human Nature in the Chinese philosophy.It has a different value and position in Confucianism and Taoism.Confucianism very much valued feelings,viewing family feelings as the foundation of the ethical order.Confucianism stressed the extension of the feelings of“Four ends of heart”.It advocated an education of nature and feelings,touching people's heart by“poetic education”.Confucianism made rites according to human feelings,and rites dressed up people's feelings.Rites cultivated people's feelings so that they could reach the golden mean level.Taoism thought mind cultivation involved tranquility in mind with few desires,proposing to transform people's feelings by Tao,so that people could surpass the feelings and go back to nature.Therefore,Taoism showed the tendency of ruthlessness.However,Confucianism and Taoism have something in common.First,they both opposed the hypocritical feelings,and advocated sincerity.Second,they thought feelings and reasons should be balanced.Third,their ideal pursuit was to be the saint who surpassed himself and reached the harmony between the heaven and human beings.