“义以建利”与“以义制利”－传统儒学义利观的二重义蕴

传统儒学的义利观以孔子提出的“义以为质”为基本立场,它在义利之辩中具体展开为“义以建利”和“以义制利”两个方面。义利观的二重义蕴在先秦均曾受到不同程度的重视,因而具有较为合理和稳定的形态,但“义”功能的双重预设内在地蕴涵着矛盾,使两个方面实际上存在 着分离的趋向,正统儒学和非正统儒学分别发展或强化了其一个方面。到明清之际二虽又有了平衡发展的契机,但明清诸儒的探讨是在原有的理论框架内进行的,因而没有摆脱传统儒学义利观的困境。

The Dual Implication of the Traditional Confucian Conception of Righteousness versus Profitableness

The view that "righteousness is essential" is a basic position of traditional Confucianists as to the relationship between righteousness and profitableness. It involves two aspects: "righteousness can give rise to profitableness" and "righteousness will restrict profitableness". The two meanings were paid great attention and had reasonable and stable forms in the pre - Qin period.But they were actually separate and contradictory, for "righteousness" was given two different functions.The orthodox Confucians and the non - orthodox Confucians emphasized and developed one aspect respectively. The two aspects had some balanced development in the period of Ming and Qing dynasties. However, those discussions among Confucians of the Ming - Qing period were made in the context of old theories.. They could not free from the difficult position of the traditional Confucian view on the relationship between righteousness and profitableness.