中西人权观差异的历史文化反思

人权问题在很大程度上是一个文化问题。每个国家的人权观都是本国主流文化在人权领域的表现。中国和西方的人权观在诸多方面存在截然不同的价值定位和选择。中国人权观主张义务本位,西方人权观主张权利本位;中国人权观发生于礼治环境,西方人权观产生于法治环境;中国人权观侧重对超验人生价值的追问,而西方人权观侧重现实的功用;中国人权观重视群体的权利,而西方人权观重视个体的权利;中国人权观重视人际的和谐,而西方人权观侧重人际的界分;中国人权观侧重人生价值的完满,而西方人权观侧重人生日用的实现。西方人权观的致用性、个体性、务实性可以弥补东方人权观“有神无体”的制度性缺失;而中国人权精神的高远性、和谐性、完满性则可消除西方人权观“有体无神”的工具性僵硬。

On the Differences Between Chinese and Western Human Rights Viewpoints

To a great extent,the problem of human rights is concerned with culture.The human rights viewpoints of each country are the manifestation of its mainstream culture in the human rights.In many respects,there are totally different value orientations and options between the Chinese and the Western human rights viewpoints.The former is based on obligations,while the latter on rights;the Chinese viewpoints have developed in the circumstance of social institutions,while the Western in the rule of law;the Chinese viewpoints focus on the transcendental life value,rights of the collective,the human harmony and perfection of life value,while the Western on pragmatism,the individual rights,the human independence and daily life realization.The practical and individual natures of the Western human rights viewpoints can compensate for the weak points of the orient viewpoints-"spirit without flesh and blood",while the insight,harmony and perfection of the Chinese ones can make up for those of the Western viewpoints-"body without spirit".