孟子性善论思想的展开逻辑及其道德价值

The Logic and Moral Value of Mencius's Theory on Good Human Nature

孟子性善论包含两个层面,即从"人禽之别"、"四端之心"、到"天之所与"的人性考辨层面;从"存心养性"、"推己及人"到"行不忍人之政"的善心扩充层面。这两个层面的展开贯穿着一个重要逻辑:人是道德生命而非自然生命;相应地,孟子认为人应当进行道德修养,追求道德境界。孟子性善论的这一逻辑,在勉励个体向善和传统价值秩序的建构上发挥了重要的价值。

Mencius's theory of good human nature implies two shifts, namely, from 'the difference between human beings and beasts' and 'the four terminal heart', to 'the heaven-born', which is the provision of humanity; from 'heart cultivation' and 'putting oneself in the place of another' to 'the humane government', which is the expansion of virtue. There is an important logic behind the two shifts: each individual is a moral life rather than a natural life; Mencius argues that people should cultivate moral sense in pursuit of a moral life. To sum up, Mencius's theory of virtue is of great significance in encouraging individuals to be kind and constructing traditional value order.