从《中庸》文本看儒家伦理与西方伦理之异同

The difference and similarity between Confucian and western ethics in Zhongyong

以《中庸》为代表的儒家伦理思想建立在天人合一的整体观之上,主张人的伦理价值属性从根源上是由天道所赋予,天道本身的"中正"决定了人们价值追求和价值标准的合理性。儒家伦理思想从来都不局限于对个人幸福的追求,它更加强调推己及人的家国一体情怀,寓于其中"诚"的伦理精神保证了此道德行为过程的真实性。反观西方伦理传统,道德属性的根据体现在主体的实践活动之中;伦理价值的标准表达为一种平和与适度;实践行为的追求则落实在个人的幸福生活之当下;行为举动精神又贯穿着"自由意志"的希腊传统。在如此语境下,儒家伦理和西方伦理呈现出一种差异与融合的理论形态。

The Confucian ethical thought represented by the Zhongyong is based on the holistic view of'harmony between man and nature',which holds that the ethical value attribute of human is endowed by'the heaven'.The'justice'of'the heaven'itself also determines the rationality of human value pursuit and value standard.Confucian ethics is never confined to the pursuit of personal happiness.It empha-sizes the feeling of putting oneself and one’s family and country into one.The ethical spirit of'sincerity'in Confucian ethics guarantees the absence of delusion in this process of moral behavior.On the contrary,in the western tradition,the basis of moral attribute is embodied in the practice of the main body;the standard of ethical value is expressed as a kind of'peace and moderation';the pursuit of practical action is implemented in the present happy life of the individual;and the spirit of action runs through the Greek tradition of'free will'.In this context,Confucian ethics and western ethics show a theoretical form of difference and blending.