荀子“伪”概念特点之新探

Abstract

This paper is the new research in four ways into the concept of “wei(伪)” in Xunzi. First, the purposes of this paper were to analyze in detail the examples of“wei”used in XunZi and in the pre-Qin literature, and to discover special characteristics and representative characters of wei in XunZi. The examples of “wei” in the pre-Qin literature before and after XunZi and the comparison analysis of “wei” appeared in the entire XunZi enable us not only to review the literature but also to find philosophical significance of Xunzi. Second, a new discovery of the most fundamental properties of “wei” through the investigation into relations with “xin(心)”: xin is the origin of wei, and Xunzi’s reversed sense of wei is rediscovered in the “origin” of wei, the subtle action of “xin”. Through this investigation, we can understand in-depth what the crucial factors are in producing and realizing “wei”. Third, an investigation into the restriction of the Xunzi’s wei theory: The Xunzi’s type of “Nature produces and man makes(天生人成)” seems harmless to the liberation of whole mankind, but all sources of the correct ideas belong to the Shengren(圣人)’s “wei”, according to the Xunzi. Therefore, those who can truly become a king Yu(禹) are only Shengren. Besides, Xunzi does not interpret and explain clearly the external basis of wei, so he encounters a problem that becoming Shengren is hard for us in fact. Fourth, this paper pays attention to that there are in the Xunzi’s idea two kinds of “wei” different in implication. As seen in Zheng-ming, the possibility of abundant interpretation of “wei” can be rediscovered through two definitions of the concept of Xun zi’s “wei”. Through this work of newly discovering the real meaning and abundant connotation of the Xunzi’s “wei”, a try to reinvestigate, reexamine and redefine the concept of the Xunzi’s “wei” could be made.