孔子观周考辨

“观周”是孔子早年的重要经历。作为先秦儒学旧案,一直聚讼纷纭,至少有三种版本:《孔子家语》《史记·孔子世家》认为是青年孔子的第一次远行,目的是问礼老聃;《庄子》后学认为孔子问道于老子,时间在孔子五十一岁以后,地点在南方沛地;《史记·十二诸侯年表》认为孔子观周与作《春秋》有关,时间应是孔子晚年。此外还有《严氏春秋》记孔子与左丘明“观周”的说法。由出土文献透视“观周”事件可见战国晚期儒道思想之间的互融互证。孔子早年生平资料的阙失导致后人对“观周”传说理解的歧异。

The Investigation of Confucius' Visit to Eastern Zhou

About Confucius' visiting Eastern Zhou there were at last three arguments: the first version held that it was Confucius' early experience seeking ritual knowledge from Laozi. Post-Zhuangzi scholars thought that happened after Confucius was 51 years old and the place was Pei in (South China); Records of the Historian held that it happened in Confucius' old age and was connected with the writing of the chronicle book, Spring and Autumn. Confucius' visit to Eastern Zhou reflected the genuine link between Confucianism and Taoism in the later part of the Warring States Period. The lack of data concerning Confucius' early experience gave rise to different views about his visit to Eastern Zhou.