《荀子．正論》及其相關問題

Xunzi's Zhenglun and Related Questions

荀子是戰國時期重要的大思想家，也是儒學史上與孟子齊名的大儒者。但是歷代以來對於荀子的評論，批評的聲浪，卻大過於肯定的言論。及至近代以來，更是越來越重！甚至認為荀子背離了儒學義理之方向。但是荀子真的如論者所批評一般嗎？因此，本文乃透過荀子針對當時各種「論題」的批評意見，試圖在荀子的批判性言論中，董理其意見，並說明荀子思想中的儒學意識。以下本文將從三個方向切入：首先，從「歧出與儒法之別」中，論述荀子的政治立場，乃是儒家的「德治主義」，並非近於以「絕對尊君」為尚的法家思想；其次，從「聖王與歷史意識」中，分析儒者的歷史意識即是其批判時政的重要利器，彰顯先秦儒學的時代共同感；最後，從「榮辱與價值判斷」中，闡明其道德優先性的主張，突出先秦儒學在道德倫理立場的一致堅持。

Xunzi was one of the most important thinkers of the Warring States period, and is often mentioned together with Mengzi as a great Confucian scholar. Throughout history however, Xunzi has often been criticized sharply, and negative views of Xunzi have largely prevailed. In recent years, criticism of Xunzi has increased, and some have even stated that Xunzi's thought opposed all principles of Confucian morality. This article attempts to analyze Xunzi's Confucian consciousness by rereading his views on various issues of his time. The topic will be approached from three aspects: First, Xunzi's political views are analyzed, in particular his views on 'rule by virtue' (德治主義) which were different from the legalist view of 'absolute obedience to power' (絕對尊君). Secondly, Xunzi's view of sage kings and historical consciousness (聖王與歷史意識) will be analyzed in order to understand the Confucian belief in using historical consciousness as an efficient instrument for criticizing government, and similarities to pre-Qin Confucian thinkers will be pointed out. Thirdly, Xunzi's belief in using a sense of honorand shame in making value judgments (榮辱與價值判斷) will be analyzed to discuss the priority which Xunzi placed on morality and ethics. Xunzi and pre-Qin Confucians shared in common the insistence on using ethics and morality as the principle standard for making judgments and criticizing government.