龔鼎孳人格論

On the Character of Gong Dingzi

Abstract

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

本文對清初著名的“貳臣”文人龔鼎孳的複雜人格進行分析。其人格可分爲四個側面：其一是參與政治、建功立業的強烈欲望，這是由他兼濟天下的儒家政治理想、對個人自我實現的追求，以及身爲貳臣的贖罪心理所決定的；其二是對文人化的林泉隱居生活的仰慕，以及由此產生的立足于台閣文人身份、將“仕”與“隱”合二爲一的人生理想；其三是對肉體生存與物質享受的極度貪戀；其四是中庸理智且自有人生原則的生存方略。他的特殊人格，與歷史上著名的貳臣馮道，具有相似性。

This essay is an analysis of the complex character of Gong Dingzi (1615-1673), a famous intellectual who has been regarded as a turncoat official. Gong's character may be observed from four aspects. The first one is his keen desire for a political career and to make a strong contribution. This was determined by three factors: (1) his confucian ideal of bringing order to the world; (2) his pursuit of personal goals; (3) his redemptive philosophy derived from his role as a “traitor”. The second aspect of Gong’s character is an ideal lifestyle that combines the two apparently contradictory choices of “service” and “reclusion.” This was formed on the basis of his admiration for the reclusive lifestyle of traditional intellectuals, as well as his craving for the name of an official-intellectual. The third aspect is his lust for a carnal life and material pleasures. The last is his life strategy, which is comprised of a moderate course and certain principles in life. His special character shares similarities with Feng Dao (882-954), another famous turncoat official in Chinese history.