摘要
本文研究的目的在於探討荀子的「性惡論」及其論「心」之觀點，討論二者的關係、以及提出的背後目的與價值為何。荀子是否有以心為性？荀子所提出的「性惡論」主張，主要是要人「化性起偽」。就荀子而言，人類的自然本性具有一種不確定的衝動結構讓人容易導向惡，化性即是要給自然之性予於人文秩序，性情欲求是非理性的，需要靠後天的禮義來度量，並節制盲目的欲求。而荀子對於「心」雖然沒有一個確切的理論提出，但對於「心」的作用與見解卻是清晰明確的，如他提出「虛壹靜」來作為「心」修養的功夫，而本文將就荀子的「心」與「性」論作一剖析，以明瞭荀子的思想內涵及其理論背後的價值所在。
關鍵字：荀子、心、性、性惡論、虛壹靜
Abstract
The purpose of this thesis is to analyze the relationship between the idea of a depraved or evil nature, and mind as was maintained by Hsun-tze. Moreover what we can learn from the core ideas behind “evil nature”(性惡論) as espoused by Hsun-tze and meaning behind his philosophy will be given attention.
Hsun-tze thought that human nature tends to evil but people can transform desires and passions through guarding and restricting. For him, human’s inner nature causes man to gravitate toward evil, then, ignore right and wrong.
However, Hsun-tze deeply believed that the original evil nature of human beings can be restricted and enforced by Li(禮)and Yi(義). Hsun-tze mentioned and explained the influence of mind to human beings clearly. For example, he emphasised that concentrating and quiet can cultivate the mind (虛壹靜)but, he unfortunately, he did not conclude the theory of mind in his ideas.
Finally, the report will analyze the mind and human nature in order to understand the depth of Hsun-tze’s view of man, and the profundity of this great Chinese philosopher.
Key Words：Hsun-tze, mind, human nature, evil nature,Shiu I Jing