《中庸》的中和思想研究
摘要
本文闡釋「中和」在《中庸》的意義，與蘊含之價值理想，並嘗試建構以「中和」為基礎之價值理論，進而呈現中和思想之現代意義。「中和」在《中庸》包含人倫思想與形上思想，從人倫思想，「中」代表行為最適當之狀態，「和」代表人際關係和諧，此是繼承孔子而來；從形上思想，「中」代表宇宙根本，「和」代表普及天下之道理，在人而言，「中和」意味著人的本性及符合節度之情感；此為子思學派所發展。
中和思想涉及之形上本根，指出客觀價值根源。中和思想涉及之人性價值論，指出主體價值根源，表現主體價值需求；順著價值根源，規範內在動機，並將善道推向外在世界，指出在內外具體情境的實踐。宋明理學亦持續探討此種人格典範。
中和思想要求外、內符合價值善，並通向宇宙整體，此是高度價值要求，表現出價值理想，在缺乏價值判斷的現代社會，中和思想可標舉價值評判標準，其價值理想可作為現代社會的人格典範。
關鍵詞：中和、中庸、價值、人格、典範
Abstract
This paper tries to explain the meaning and the ideal value of “zhong he” in Zhongyong, provide a theory of value based on the foundation of “zhong he”, and display its meanings in a modern society. In Zhongyong, the concept of “zhong he” includes the ethical and metaphysical thought. The word “zhong” means the most proper states of the actions, and the word “he” means the most harmony in the relationship. These ideas came from Confucius. From a metaphysical view, “zhong” means the root of cosmos, and “he” means the unobstructed way of universe. From the view of humanity, “zhong he” means human tendency and the well controlled emotions. These meanings are developed by the Zisi school of Confucianism.
The metaphysical root of “zhong he” represents the objective source of value. “Zhong he” refers the theory of value of the human nature, it also represents the subjective requirement of value. To control the motives in accordance with the source of value and to extend the good way to the external world represents the practicing in the concrete situations at the internal world and the external world. This ideal personality was continuously being discussed by the thinkers in the Song and Ming dynasty.
“Zhong he” thought asks to obey the goodness of the internal and external worlds and the extending the good to the whole cosmos. That is the high degree to ask the value of the goodness which is the ideal of value. The people in modern society lack the value judgments. The thought of “zhong he” could set the standards of value judgments, and this ideal value could be the model of personality in the modern society.
Keywords: zhong he, Zhongyong, value, personality, model