自主、抵抗、自然──清末民初獨身主義論爭中的個人觀

Autonomy, Resistance, and Nature: Ideas of the Individual in the Debates on Celibacy in the Late Qing and Early Republican Period

清末民初個人觀的差異，如何主導時人對獨身主義的不同立場？本文主張，當時個人觀對於自然人性、個人自由與社會進步的不同價值排序，影響獨身主義如何被認知與評斷。本文首先探討清末民初個人觀念、群己關係的內涵及其演變，接著焦婚戀自由背後所預設的個人與社會關係。其次，本文討論獨身主義論爭的思想來源、發展演變，以及其中所反映的性別關係。以此為基礎，本文將獨身主義論爭中的個人觀分為三種：自主的個人觀、抵抗的個人觀、自然的個人觀。自主的個人觀重視獨立自主的個體進行自由選擇的價值，因而將獨身主義視作一種應被尊重的個人選擇；抵抗的個人觀主張透過抵抗行動改變社會，因而稱許獨身主義抵抗婚姻的意義與價值；自然的個人觀反對違背情慾、生育等「本性」的獨身主義，但在人口論、優生學與戀愛論的影響下允許例外的存在。

When considering how the differences in the concept of individuality during the late Qing and early Republican period influenced contemporary stances on celibacy, the present article argues that the varying values assigned to human nature, personal freedom, and social progress shaped how celibacy was perceived and judged. First, this article explores the contents and evolution of individuality as a notion and the relationship between the individual and the collective, and then focuses on the presupposed relationship between individuals and society behind the concept of freedom in marriage and love. Secondly, the ideological origins, development, and evolution of the debates on celibacy, as well as the gender relations reflected therein, are discussed. Based on these, this article categorizes the views on individuality within the celibacy debate into three types: the idea of the autonomous individual, of the rebellious individual, and of the natural individual. The idea of the autonomous individual emphasizes the value of independent individuals making free choices, thereby regarding celibacy as an acceptable personal choice. That of the rebellious individual advocates resistance in order to change society, and it thus praises the significance and value of celibacy as a form of resistance to marriage. Finally, the idea of the natural individual opposes celibacy, which goes against“natural”instincts such as desire and procreation, but allows exceptions due to the population theory, eugenics, and theories on love.