순자(荀子) 윤리학의 이성주의적 특성

Abstract

While exploring the rationalist characteristics embedded in the context of fundamental structure of Xunzi’s theory of ethics, the article also analyzes the role of emotion. As a methodology, this article uses the frame resorted to in analyzing the virtue ethics of Aristotle. The constructure of rationalizing acts of humans as the ultimate goal of human lives in fulfillment of moral cultivation is also shown in Xunzi. Thus, Xunzi’s thinking appears to be in accord with Aristotelian thinking. As to Xunzi’s view of ethics, the question of the fundamentals of morality is given full attention. These questions ranging from “understanding of humans,” to “construction of fundamentals of ethics”, to” the emotion question,” to “ importance of virtues in practices” are fully discussed and analyzed in illuminating the rationalist characteristics of Xunzi’ theory of ethics. Furthermore, in theoretical structure of Xunzi’s ethics, the role of human emotion should not be overlooked. Notwithstanding this, however, it is quite questionable whether the role of emotion in Xunzi’s theory of ethics has been addressed as importantly as that of emotion in Mencius’ theory of ethics. According to Xunzi’s theory of ethics, virtues may not be expanded or even developed out of natural emotions. Xunzi acknowledges that humans and animals alike possess natural emotions. However, he does not view them as having any moral worth. This point is the watershed that distinguishes Xunzi’s theory of ethics from Mencius’ theory of ethics.