『荀子』中所呈現的孔子形象研究

Abstract

This study investigates the representation of Confucius in the Xunzi and examines how these depictions function within Xunzi’s philosophical system. The analysis proceeds on two levels: first, descriptions of Confucius’ appearance, personality, social background, and status highlight him as a historical figure; second, the direct quotations of Confucius’ words and reconstructed dialogues with disciples or contemporaries reveal his moral and intellectual dimensions. This dual structure not only illustrates the multifaceted image of Confucius but also reflects Xunzi’s strategy of grounding his philosophical authority in Confucius. More specifically, chapters such as “Zhongni,” “Wangzhi,” and “Zhenglun” quote Confucius to reinforce principles of governance and morality, while texts like “Dalüe,” “Zidao,” “Faxing,” “Aigong,” and “Yaowen” employ dialogues between Confucius and his disciples or rulers to articulate key values such as responsibility, filial piety, humility, and self-cultivation. Many of these sayings and conversations are unattested in the Analects or other Confucian classics, suggesting that Xunzi and his followers reinterpreted or creatively reshaped Confucius’ voice to legitimize their own philosophical agenda. In conclusion, the image of Confucius in the Xunzi not only strengthens the authority of Confucian orthodoxy but also serves as the foundation for Xunzi’s original philosophical construction. By both inheriting and transforming Confucius’ ethical ideals to address the political and social challenges of the Warring States period, Xunzi presents the Xunzi as a Confucian classic that combines continuity with innovation, leaving a significant legacy for later Confucian thought.