先秦儒家的义利观

The Confucian School's Attitude toward Justice and Benefit during Pre-Qin Period

义、利是中国哲学史上长期争论的一对范畴 ,也是先秦儒家所讨论的一个话题。从人性的角度来了解先秦儒家的义利观 ,可以得见先秦儒家已意识到人是义与利的综合体 ,义与利皆内在于人性之中。他们不否认人对感性物质生活的追逐 ,但认为对义的追求相对于对利的追求而言是更高层次的追求。基于此 ,先秦儒家更高扬对义的追求。在推崇义的前提下 ,他们用“以义制利”、“以义取利”、“以义生利”的原则协调二者关系。当二者发生冲突时 ,用“舍生取义”的原则来解决矛盾。先秦儒家这一理论对塑造民族精神 ,规范市场经济活动 ,保持人性的完整。

Justice and benefit is a pair of categories that are disputed for a long time in the philosophical history of China as well as a topic discussed by the Confucian School. A conclusion can be drawn that, the Confucian School have realized man is the synthesis of benefit and justice, that is, benefit and justice are two integral parts of a man, if you comprehend the Confucian School's attitude toward justice and benefit from the angle of humanity. The Confucian School do not deny man's pursuing perceptual material life, but regard justice as a higher level of pursuit. On the basis of this position, the Confucian School sing higher praises of pursuing justice. Taking justice as a prerequisite, they coordinate the relationship between justice and benefit under the guidance of the principle, i.e., to control, gain and produce benefit with justice. When conflict between justice and benefit occurs, they will make a choice which values justice more than anything else, even life. The Confucian school's theory has played an important role in moulding national spirit, normalizing activities of market economy, and keeping the integrity of humanity as well as in maintaining noble characters.