孟子神話：反思所謂孟子的民權與西方自然權利

Abstract

本文試圖針對中國政治思想史學史上著名的「學說的神話」──《孟子》顯示中國自古即有「民權」的概念──提出商榷。本文首先追溯這個說法的歷史，指出此說實緣自明治日本和清末中國的政治論爭需求而生，並非學術研究的產物。其次，藉由闡明孟子政治思想的歷史因素，指出所謂的民本思想無法脫離戰國歷史脈絡。戰國時代諸侯皆欲成為新的天子，因此積極擴充本國之經濟力與軍事力。生長於此時代並以客卿身份期許輔佐君主統一天下的孟子，意識到人民與諸侯的利益唇齒相依，因此勸君主當予以重視並行仁政以惠之。所謂的「性善」論，其主要意圖亦是為了鼓勵並證成君主能行仁政而提出。此外，本文闡述孟子的放伐思想係由於其政治或學術立場所致，孟子並不認為人民具備決定政權轉移的權利。文末將孟子政治思想與以洛克為代表的近代西方自然權利思想進行比較，以說明二者之間實頗有違和。

This thesis offers a new interpretation of the so-called “Mencius’s theory of people’s rights.” The idea that Mencius as the pioneer of Chinese “people’s rights” originated from modern reformers’ advocacy of Western political ideas and their attempt to locate parallels to Western concept of “people’s rights” within the framework of traditional Chinese culture. However, this interpretation does not accurately represent Mencius’s political thought. This study argues that Mencius’s political thought must be understood within the political and social context of the Warring States period. Mencius dedicated his entire life to seeking a new “son of Heaven” (tianzi) who could unify “all under Heaven” (tianxia). He recognized the importance of “people” (min) as human resources that could contribute to the economic growth and military strength of the state. Consequently, Mencius emphasized the well-being of people and persuaded the kings to implement “benevolent governing” (renzheng). To provide a theoratical foundation for “benevolent government”, Mencius formulated the theory of the “goodness of human nature.” In contrast to mainstream interpretation, this study contends that Mencius is far from being a defender of popular revolution. By comparing the political thought of Mencius with that of John Locke and earlier Western natural rights theorists demonstrates that Mencius shares little with the Western natural rights tradition; indeed, the core of his political thought stands in tension with Locke’s political philosophy.