《論語》與《孟子》的生命觀研究

A Research on the View of Life in the Analects of Confucius and Mencius

許詠晴(Yung-Ching Hsu)

指導教授 ： 傅佩榮 ； 李賢中

國立臺灣大學/文學院/哲學研究所/博士(2017年)

https://doi.org/10.6342/NTU201700986

摘要

本文以孔孟哲學為中心，溯及孔孟哲學出現以前中國古代對於生命的認識，再深入探討孔孟哲學的生命觀。人類生命中需要面對的互動關係可以區分為四類：人與自然界、其他人類、超越界，以及自己，本文將研究《論語》與《孟子》如何說明人與這四者的關係。古代信仰環境中，「絕地天通」標誌著人類走出自然、與超越界明確區分，只有統治者可以得知「天命」，「人」的觀念形成，但是「個人」的觀念還不顯著。同時，古人雖設法說明了人的來源與歸宿，認為人的本性有一定的規則，順著人性的規則發展，就會喜好美好的德行，卻沒有說明人「為何」實現人性。孔子說明人在正常的成長發展之下，自然會產生「安」與「不安」的道德要求，人與自己的關係在於自覺內心的要求並且真誠面對它。實踐我心對於行善的要求，就是完成我個人的使命。孔子認為天是人類生命與德行修養的來源，完成個人的德行修養，就是完成上天的使命。天命是每個人都可以在自己身上加以肯定的。孔子強調人的道德要求內在於己，在人與自己的關係以及人與超越界的關係中，透過自覺造成了重大突破。孟子則進一步以不忍心說明不安，將人的道德需求溯源於心。心的官能可以思考，思考便能自覺心所喜好的是理義（合理性與正當性），而人心有四端（四種行善的開端），順著自然湧現的四心，就可以實踐善行，這就是性善。心是天賦與人的，充分實踐內心的要求，就會瞭解本性，瞭解本性就會瞭解天。養育本性等待任務，就是建立使命的方法。肯定每個人都可以主動修養自我，瞭解天賦予我的人性、建立使命。不斷的自我修養與擴充，還能夠照耀別人、感化群眾，人的德行修養永遠有向上提升的空間。孔孟哲學使人意識到人性源自於天，人有上達無限之境的潛能，甚至可以為了理想犧牲生命，這就是理性臣服於終極關懷之下，被這股發自無限的力量驅動，躍升於自身限制之上。這層體認便是孔孟共同的終極關懷，也是孔孟的信仰。

關鍵字

生命觀 ； 生命來源 ； 生命歸宿 ； 人性

並列摘要

This research, centered on Confucius’ and Mencius’ philosophy, first looks back on the view of life in ancient China before the appearance of Confucius’ and Mencius’ philosophy, followed by further and deeper discussion of the view of life elaborated by Confucius’ and Mencius’ philosophy. The interactions one has to face in their life could be divided into four aspects, including nature, other people, Transcendence, and himself. This study aims to investigate how Analects of Confucius and Mencius explain the relationship between a person and the four aspects mentioned above. In the ancient worldview, the term “Jue Di Tian Tong” (the isolation of Heaven and Earth) marks the clear difference of people emerged from the sharp distinction between nature and Transcendence. Prior to this, the ruler was the only one who knew the Mandate of Heaven (天命). Though the concept of “human being” was formed, the idea of the “individual” was not emphasized. As ancient Chinese attempted to elaborate on the origin and final destination of people, they explained that there are certain rules in human nature that, when followed along the natural flow of development, would lead to a praiseworthy good moral character. Yet they failed to explain “why” people should do good acts. Confucius indicated that as one grows and develops under normal circumstances, one’s heart would experience being at ease (安) or not (不安). The relationship between one and oneself is founded on the awareness of moral requirements coming from the inside when sincerely facing oneself. In other words, to put into practice the requirement of one’s heart to do good is to complete one’s own mission. Confucius considered Heaven the source of human life and moral character so that by completing the moral requirement of the heart, one fulfills the Mandate of Heaven. Everyone could be sure of one’s own Mandate of Heaven. Confucius emphasized the fact that the moral requirement of people lies within. He also stressed the relationship between one and oneself and one with Transcendence. But it is self-awareness that would result in significant breakthrough. Mencius further explained a mind which cannot bear (不忍) to see the sufferings of others, agreeing that the moral requirement of a person comes from the heart. With its sense, the heart could think. As it thinks, people would be aware of the preference for rationality and legitimacy (理義). According to Mencius, there are four beginnings (四端), which are the origins of four types of doing good. If one follows the four beginnings that come out naturally, they could do good, indicating human nature tends towards goodness. One is born with a heart. When they practice the requirements of following their heart fully, they would understand their nature, and by doing so, would come to understand Heaven. To understand one’s mission, one must cultivate his nature. It is assured that each person could actively train himself, understand his human nature bestowed by Heaven, and thus understand one’s mission. Furthermore, with constant self-cultivation and expansion, one could also enlighten others’ lives and influence the crowd, as there is always room for improvement in fulfilling one’s moral requirement. It is a philosophy that allows people to be aware of the fact that the human nature comes from Heaven, and that there is no limitation for human potential, for people would even sacrifice their lives for the ideal. This is when rationality surrenders to the ultimate concern which is driven by the infinite power that goes beyond self-limitation. And this realization is the ultimate shared concern and faith of Confucius and Mencius.

並列關鍵字

view of life ； origin of life ； final destination of life ； human nature

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