论儒学义利之辨及其当代启示

On the Distinction "Yi" & "Li" of Confucianism and its Significance in Current Society

儒学的义利之辨对中国的历史和现实关系重大。所谓叶适“功利之说”实出于后人的误解,叶适、朱熹的分歧在于:叶适强调义利的统一,朱熹强调义利的冲突。而朱叶所据以争辩的董仲舒的名言“正其谊不谋其利,明其道不计其功”系班固改作,班固的贬利观念是从反面受荀况、韩非影响。孟子“何必曰利”、孔子“罕言利”自有深意,但孔子将义、利割裂,导致后世的中国社会向“义”与“利”绝对的两极分化。当代社会讲义不计利或讲利不重义这两种倾向都是值得反省的,问题最终归结为价值观。

The distinction 'Yi'(righteousness) & 'Li'(profit) of Confucianism is of great significance for Chinese history and reality.The so-called Ye Shi's Utilitarianism was actually misunderstood by latter scholars.Ye Shi and Zhu Xi's differences lie in the fact that Ye Shi emphasizes the unity of 'Yi' & 'Li',While Zhu Xi focuses on the conflict of 'Yi' & 'Li'.However,their arguments are based on different historical contexts.In current society,either 'Yi' over 'Li' trend or 'Li' over 'Yi' trend should be reexamined and result from different standards of value.