戴震與丁若鏞的人性論比較研究

Abstract

Dai Zhen(1724-1777), also known as Dong yuan (东原)，was a prominent Chinese scholar of Qing Dynasty. He is not only the prestigious “Wan-bloc Master” of the Qianjia School, but also the first thinker who criticized the idea of “Manslaughter by Virtue of Morality” within Confucianism. He was called the "pioneer of the scientific community" by Liang Qichao and Hu Shi. Cheong Yagyong (1762-1836), also known as Cha Shan (茶山)，was the Practical Academic expert of the Chosun Dynasty. He continued Yi Hwang and Lee Ik’s studies and opposed the theory of Li Qi and the view of Idealist Philosophy. Dai Zhen and Cheong Yagyong refuted the misrepresented Confucianism by Neo-Confucianism trend. The question of Virtue and Vice of human nature is one of the earliest raised by ancient Chinese ideologists. Various schools of thought around the “Virtue and Vice” of human nature launched a wide range of discussions. Also, there are many disputes. It is Mencius’ theory of “Good-in-Nature” that has been recognized by Confucianism in the past dynasties. Dai Zhen and Cheong Yagyong all disagreed that Neo-confucianism interprets human nature through Li Qi. Both of them believed that Li is objective and realistic. Dai Zhen and Cheong Yagyong re-noted and commented ‘Mencius’ to summarize the theory of human nature since the pre-Qin period and put forward the theory of “Xue Qi Xin Zhi ” and the theory of “Humanity and Addiction”. They all agreed with the rationality of human desire. They continued Mencius’ theory of “Good-in-Nature”, believing that the essential difference between human being and animals lies in Good-in-Nature. None of them denied that human being would do wrong. Dai Zhen argued that acquired disposition would lead to people doing wrong. Dai Zhen emphasized that people should correct themselves through learning and practice. But Cheong Yagyong focused on people’s reflection ability after practice. Although all of them paid attention to the practice in daily life, Dai Zhen preferred that people always keep a rational mind to do good, that is, know before you do; Cheong Yagyong believed responsibility consciousness after practice, that is, do before it becomes. Their theories are quite modernistic. Therefore, discussing and comparing their ideas again would achieve a great comparative significant in today’s society.