屈原哲學思想及與孟子之比較

Comparison of the Philosophical Thought of Qu Yuan and Mencius

Abstract

LANGUAGE NOTE | Document text in Chinese; abstract also in English.

在天人關係的問題上，屈原并不曾懷疑天與善人的成説，且注意到了天行有時；在人性論上，屈原與孟子一樣主張性善，亦認爲惡起於人之不修；在養氣養勇方面，屈原與孟子都堅持守正，但孟子强調順時，而屈原設有定心，孟子尚權變，屈原主不遷；屈原尚“清”，《遠游》之意不在求羽化，亦在乎尚“清”。

With regard to the relationship between humanity and Heaven, Qu Yuan never questioned the accepted belief that Heaven supported good people, while also recognizing that there was a due time for Heaven to act. With regard to the question of human nature, Qu Yuan and Mencius both held the belief that human nature was good, and that evil results from lack of moral cultivation. With regard to cultivating one’s vital essence and courage, Qu Yuan and Mencius both maintained that it was matter of upholding propriety, but Mencius emphasized the importance of timing, while Qu Yuan focused on having a resolute mind. Mencius valued compromise in accordance with circumstances, while Qu Yuan argued for constancy to one’s values. Qu Yuan upheld the virtue of purity (qing), and the “Far Roaming” (Yuan you) is not so much about the quest for immortality as it is about preserving purity.