略論司馬遷的富利觀

On Ssu-Ma Ch'ien's Views of Wealth and Profit-Making

本文係根據筆者學位論文《前漢における経世思想の研究》之第三章〈司馬遷の経濟観について〉整理而成。該章完成於1994年10月，時筆者尚在日本進修中。當時之所以選擇這個題材，主要原因是想藉此從經濟觀點來探討西漢知識分子的一部分經世思想，再者是台灣學界對這方面的研究較少（至該章完成時，似乎只有黃乃隆先生一篇〈司馬遷的經濟思想及其撰述經濟史的體例〉（註1）而已），因此覺得不妨一試。

This paper aims at an analysis of Ssu-ma Ch'ien's views toward profit-making and civil economic activities on the basis his Historian's Records (Shih Chih). Comparison is also made between Ssu-Ma Ch'ien and/or Pan Ku and Hsun Tzu in regard to their economic thought. It is argued that the contrasts between Ssu-ma Ch'ien and Pan Ku lie in the fallowings: (1) Ssu-ma Ch'ien confirms the place of merchants in history while Pan Ku denounced businessman for corrupting social norms and stability; (2) Ssu-ma Ch 'ien asserts that profit-making is of human nature while Pan Ku oppose it; (3) Ssu-ma Ch'ien affirms economic liberalization while Pan Ku insisted that state control over commercial activities. This paper concludes with three major points pertaining to Ssu-ma Ch'ien's views of wealth and profit-making: (a) profit-making is of human nature, (b) economic independence and freedom of market are necessary, and (c) businessman must employ commercial strategies and contribute to social welfare. All these three views convey implications for modern society.