《五行》經說分別為子思、孟子所作論: ——兼論郭店楚 簡《五行》篇出土的歷史意義

Abstract

This article first of all reviews and evaluates the previous studies on the “Five Virtues” chapter (Wuxing Pian《五行篇》) of the Mawangdui Boshu 馬王堆帛書 (the Mawangdui Silk Manuscripts) since the text was excavated in 1973. Based on this effort, the present discussion points out and diagnoses the weaknesses existing in these early studies. Meanwhile, through examination of the newer research on the unearthed Guodian Zhujian 郭店竹簡 (the Guodian Bamboo Strips), the current writing proposes that the textual section (Jingbu〈經部〉) of the Wuxing was written by Zi Si 子思, and the commentary section of it was written by Meng Zi 孟子. Accordingly, the conclusion of this article comes to a suggestion that corresponds to the idea of Xun Zi 荀子who takes that Meng Zi is a follower and advocate of Zi Si, so-called “Zi Si chang zhi, Meng Ke he zhi.子思唱之, 孟軻和之。” (Zi Si starts to sing a song, while Meng Zi joins in it promptly.)