论孔子思想的实践指归

关于孔子思想的实质与核心问题 ,学界曾进行过多次争论 ,但迄今为止并未形成统一的认识和观点。蔡尚思先生在 6 0年代曾撰文认为 ,“孔学主要是礼学”,80年代初在他的《孔子思想体系》中又明确提出“孔子思想体系的中心是礼”。匡亚明先生则认为 ,“仁”是孔子的哲学 ,也是他的伦理道德学说、政治学说、教育学说 ,一句话 ,是他的全部博大庞杂的思想体系的“一以贯之”的总纲。 (见匡亚明著《孔子评传》,第 1 92页 ,齐鲁书社 1 985年版 )也有人提出 ,中庸是孔子思想的实质和核心 (见郭碧波《孔子思想核心再认识》,载《哲学研究》 1 985年第 9…

The Practical Purpose of Confucius' Thoughts

Benevolence and courtesy are not the core of Confucius' thoughts because he evaluates them merely in terms of social practice that aims at governing state and reassuring the public. Forbearance belongs to an integrated category in Confucius' thoughts, which is as same as "the Golden Mean" and discussed only in the methodological sense. Therefore, forbearance cannot be the core of Confucius' thoughts. Confucius' starting point is social practice, including "governing state" and "creating universal peace" when he advocates benevolence, courtesy, forbearance, the Golden Mean, mental and moral cultivation. It can be said that Confucius' philosophy is a practical philosophy. Social practice is its essence, its core, and its end.