荀子思想的社会学阐释

荀子思想在许多方面都与现代社会学有契合之处,可称为儒家社会学。荀子认为,人一方面不能不过一种社会的生活,但另一方面由于人性本恶,若顺从人的自然属性,就不可避免要产生各种争端,使社会生活成为不可能。要解决这一矛盾,荀子提出组织社会的关键在于“分”,即社会职责的分工与社会角色的定位,只有“明分”才能“使群”。而要使每个人在社会生活中各守其分,只能通过“礼”和“法”等社会规范加以保证。

Sociological Interpretation of Xunzi's Thought

There is much correspondence between the thought of Xunzi and modern sociology. So the thought of Xunzi could be called "Confucian sociology" to some extent. Xunzi argues that, on the one hand, people have to live in a society; but on the other hand, because of the evil nature, it is too hard to avoid all kinds of conflicts in human society if everyone follows his natural character. Therefore, it makes it impossible for people to have a social life. In order to solve this problem, Xunzi asserts what counts is fen in organizing a society, which means the division of social duties and the positioning of social roles. Only ming-fen can make shi-qun. And it is possible to make each person just do his own business in a society only by following such social norms as li and fa as a protectorate.