先秦「君子」概念之展開 ——作為儒家哲學經典化的條件

Abstract

本研究透過疏理先秦儒家經典與出土文獻中「君子」概念的演變，闡明在先秦時期以「君子」概念為理論核心的儒家哲學系統。其中，以「君子」概念為媒介將各經典文獻論述內容之間的差異與衝突融貫為完整規範，進而促成在秦漢時期之後的歷史上所進行的「儒家哲學的經典化」。換言之，「君子」概念就是作為「儒家哲學的經典化」之必要條件。 本文將使用觀念史/概念史的研究方法，針對先秦時代所謂儒家經典與出土文獻中「君子」概念的全部的用例加以分析梳理出。透過理解文獻之間的「君子」論的互動和思想演變的情況，證成在戰國末年的儒家政治理論實為以作為實踐道德主體的「君子」來展開理想統治的內涵。並透過思想層次的整理，以「君子」概念為主軸建構出融貫一致的經典體系。 透過對於「君子」概念所發揮的思想功能的重視，能夠重新呈現出在過去研究中忽略的先秦經典體系。藉由此研究可以重新掌握，作為後世各種儒家思想基底的先秦儒家思想，進一步有助於整體儒家哲學研究的發展。

By clarifying the evolution of the concept of junzi (君子; usually translated as gentleman or nobleman) in pre-Qin Confucian classics and excavated texts, this study explains the Confucian philosophical system with the concept of junzi as its theoretical core. Among these texts, the concept of junzi is used as a means of integrating different conflicting passages from various classic documents into a holistic norm, thereby contributing to the eventual “canonization of Confucian philosophy” following the Qin and Han Dynasties. In other words, the concept of junzi was a necessary condition for the “canonization of Confucian philosophy.” This study uses the research method of begriffsgeschichte and history of ideas to analyze and organize all the uses of junzi in the so-called Confucian classics and excavated texts from the pre-Qin period. By understanding the interconnectedness of the junzi theory between different documents and the evolution of this idea, it is shown that Confucian political theory in the late Warring States period developed its conception of ideal rule with the junzi as its agent of enacting morality. By clarifying the theoretical dimensions of this idea, a coherent classical theoretical system is constructed with the concept of junzi as its main axis. By paying attention to the theoretical function played by the concept of junzi, the pre-Qin classical theoretical system that has been ignored in past research can be presented afresh. Through this research, we can understand anew pre-Qin Confucianism as the foundation of various Confucian theories in later generations, which will further contribute to the overall development of Confucian philosophical research.