孔子迄荀子「賢者圖像」的變異－以君子為中心的開展

施坤利(Shih Kun Li)

指導教授 ： 陳佳銘

國立中正大學/文學院/中國文學系/碩士(2013年)

摘要

本研究以先秦儒家三位大儒，即孔子、孟子以及荀子之君子觀，為研究標的，梳理孔子之《論語》、孟子之《孟子》、荀子之《荀子》，並對春秋迄戰國時期之政治、社會態勢之相關文獻，進行彙總，希期藉由文獻之梳理、歸納，整理出三位大儒口中之「君子」定義，以及所映照出的內心意義，本研究由時間軸、時代背景以及大儒對君子的定義及養成，茲得出研究成果有三項。
一、 由呼應時代需求而形成的君子觀。
二、 變異過程，是君子養成權力的下放與轉移。
三、 定義之變異，是君子實踐由上到下的外釋。
孔子時期，西周禮樂制度已然崩頹，但東周前期的春秋社會，猶有禮樂制度的餘風，孔子之君子觀，強調修已、安百姓；唯迄至孟子所處的戰國時期，諸侯爭伐不已，他的君子觀強調的是，更大的正面仁義力量的發揮；迄至荀子所在的戰國晚期，社會失序、人性之惡畢露，是以希企藉由外在規範，來促使更多君子的產生；其次由孔子時期「知其不可而為之」的君子，到孟子口中的「大人者」、「豪傑之士」，乃至荀子的士子，先秦儒家君子觀實踐的變異，已由希企在上者的支持，落實下釋到每一位平民。而君子之形成，亦由內心之善的揚發，開始有了外在教育的規範，是以不只人人可為君子，人人有潛力為君子，且人人可透過自己的努力成為君子。

關鍵字

荀子 ； 孟子 ； 孔子 ； 君子

並列摘要

This study aims at discussing the concept of gentlemen developed by Confucius, Mencius and Xunzi, who were the three Confucian masters in the pre-Chin period of the Chinese history. This paper organizes the “Analects” by Confucius, “Mencius” by Mencius and “Xunzi” by Xunzi and reviews the past literature exploring the social and political conditions during the Spring and Autumn period as well as Warring States period. Then the definitions of “gentlemen” mentioned by the three Confucian masters are presented. In addition, the internal meanings of “gentlemen” from what the three masters said are also reflected in this paper. In this study, three important points are obtained from the perspectives of time line, historical backgrounds and the definitions and cultivation of “gentlemen” mentioned by the three Confucian masters.

1. The concept of gentlemen was formed in responding to the needs of that time and period of history.
2. The variation process refers to that gentlemen cultivated themselves to transfer and shift power to others.
3. The variation of definitions of gentlemen was a type of external release of top-to-bottom practice by gentlemen.

In the era of Confucius, the system of courtesy and music in the Western Chou dynasty had already collapsed. However, the climate of courtesy and music still remained in the Spring and Autumn society in the early Eastern Chou dynasty. The concept of gentlemen remarked by Confucius emphasized on cultivating one’s moral characters in order to reassure the common people. Mencius was born in the Warring States period when feudalists fought against each other. The concept of gentlemen which Mencius stressed was the development of more powerful and positive benevolence and righteousness. When it came to the time of Xunzi, during the late Warring States period, the whole society was in disorder and the evil side of human nature explicitly revealed. Therefore, it was expected that external norms could be used to help cultivate more gentlemen. In addition, the gentlemen “who head for achieving something which they know it’s impossible” mentioned during the period of Confucius had turned to be “mature and great men” and “courageous and capable men” proposed by Mencius, and then become what Xunzi called “scholars”. Being supported by the top rulers, the shifts of practicing the concept of gentlemen mentioned by the Confucian masters in pre-Chin period were carried out and applied to every citizen. The cultivation of gentlemen was developed from the inner good to external education norms. Therefore, everyone could be a gentleman and everyone had the potential to be a gentleman. To conclude, everyone could become a gentleman by making an endeavor.

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