文明冲突(civilization conflict/ Huntington defines eight major civilizations: (1) Western - which includes Western Europe and North America; (2) Slavic-Orthodox; (3) Islamic - which includes three subdivisions: Arab, Turkic and Malay; (4) Latin American; (5) Hindu; (6) Confucian; (7) Japanese; and (8) African。

　　Huntington says that "The fault lines between civilizations will be the battle lines of the future." He continues, "Over the centuries ... differences among civilizations have generated the most prolonged and the most violent conflict" [2] - more so even than ideological conflict. The reason? - because differences between civilizations "... are far more fundamental than differences among political ideologies and political regimes ..."[3] And the evidence for Huntington's assertion is easily discernible in what's going on in the former Yugoslavia. Indeed, it's only in "civilization" (or religious) terms that any sense can be made of the alliance structures that have grown up as a result of the conflict: Germany, France and Austria (and, as a result, the E.C。) favor Slovenia and Croatia (which are Catholic and Western Christian)； Russia and the "Eastern Slavs" favor Serbia (which is - like the rest of the Slavic states - Orthodox)； and Turkey and Iran favor the Muslims of Bosnia (which are Islamic). Indeed, the Balkans have been a tinderbox of conflict for hundreds of years precisely because they lie at the convergence of three major civilizations (or religions) and the cultures which these religions undergird: Western Christianity (Slovenia, Croatia, etc。)； Orthodox Christianity (Serbia, Bulgaria, Russia, etc。)； and Islam (Turkey, Albania, etc。)。

　　I think, we're in a New Axial Age. The idea of Axial Age was proposed by German philosopher Karl Jaspers (1883-1969)， defined as around 500 B.C. when great thinkers appeared almost simultaneous in Ancient Greece, Israel, India and China, contributing their original ideas to the problems concerning the existence of human being. Distinctive cultural traditions were then formed respectively by Socrates and Plato in Ancient Greece, Lai-zi and Confucius in China, Sakyamuni in India, and Jewish prophets in Israel, which, after more than two thousand years of progress, have become the principle part of human intellectual wealth. These local cultural traditions were independent in birth, without mutual influence. "Until today mankind has lived by what happened during the Axial Period, by what was thought and created during that period. In each new upward flight it returns in recollection to this period and is fired anew by it. Even since then it has been the case that recollections and reawakenings of the potentialities of the Axial Period - renaissances - afford a spiritual impetus." For example, the Europeans in Renaissance had recollected the origin of their culture, Ancient Greece, which had fired anew the European civilization and left its mark on global culture. Similarly, the Song and Ming Neo-Confucianism in China was stimulated by the impacts of Indian Buddhism; the Confucian thinkers, by "recollecting" Confucius and Mencius in pre-Qing Period, had promoted the ingenious Chinese philosophy to a new height. In a certain sense, the contemporary progress of global cultures might be a new leap on the basis of Axial Age. Has the contemporary human culture created, or will create, a New Axial Age then? -- Judged from certain evidences, it might be。

　　If Chinese culture hopes to contribute to the "coexistence of civilizations" in contemporary human society, it must needs to know itself, which means a cultural self-consciousness. The so-called "cultural self-consciousness" is the serious self-reflection by certain people in certain cultural tradition on their own culture's origin, its history of formation, its characters (including both advantages and disadvantages) and its tendency of progress. The renewal of Chinese nation is on the eve. To achieve this goal, we must have a self-knowledge about Chinese culture, posit it on a proper place, and search with enthusiasm the genuine spirit of this culture with a long history, in order to present its essence to modern human society. Besides, we must reflect the disadvantages of our culture as well, to better the absorptions of other cultures' essences, and to re-interpret it in a modern way adapting to the general tendency of progress of modern society. Only after this retrospective reflection could our country march as vanguard in the progress of global culture, and create a brave new world together with other cultures。

　　Confucianism and Taoism were principle schools of thinking in traditional Chinese culture, usually regarded as mutual complementary - of course, after Indian Buddhism was introduced into China, it also played an important role in Chinese society and culture. Now I'd like to discuss whether the Confucian and Taoist thinking could provide meaningful sources for the doctrine of "coexistence of civilizations"。

　　(1) The Confucian doctrine of Ren (仁： benevolence, virtue) is a resource of thinking with positive meaning for the "coexistence of civilizations"。

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　　"The Way originates in Emotion" (道始于情)， as prescribed in "Destiny is the resource of Human nature" (性自命出)， manuscript in Guodian Bamboo Slips (《郭店竹简》). "The Way" here means "the Way of Human" (人道)， i.e. the principles in dealing with human (or in anther word, social) relationships, which is different from "the Way of Heaven" (天道)， i.e. the laws of nature or of universe. Human relationships are established on the basis of emotion, which is the starting point of Confucian doctrine of Ren. Once a disciple named Fan Chi asked Confucius: "What is Ren?" The answer was: "To love people." Where is the origin of this thought, "to love people"? In The Doctrine of the Mean a saying of Confucius was quoted as: "Ren is the characteristic element of humanity, and the great exercise of it is in loving relatives."[17] The spirit of Benevolence and Love (仁爱) is rooted in human nature, and to love one's relative is the most basic exercise of it. But the spirit of Ren goes far beyond this level. To quote Guodian Bamboo Slips: "To love and love deep, that is love; but to enlarge the love of one's father to the love of human being, that is Ren."[18] "The enlargement of filial piety is to love all the people below Heaven."[19] From these sayings we observe that the Confucian Doctrine of Ren demands to enlarge "the love of relatives" to "the benevolence on people", i.e. to "enlarge one's self-concern to the concern on others" (推己及人)， to "treat with the reverence due to age the elders in your own family, so that the elders in the families of others shall be similarly treated; treat with the kindness due to youth the young in your own family, so that the young in the families of others shall be similarly treated"[20] - that is Ren. It is not easy to practice the doctrine of "enlarging one's self-concern to the concern on others", which requires a "practice of Ren" rooting in "the Way of Loyalty and Forgiveness" (忠恕之道)， i.e. "never do to others as you do not wish done on yourself"[21], "wishing to be established himself, he seeks also to establish others; wishing to be enlarged himself, he seeks also to enlarge others".[22] ("Loyalty is complete devotion of oneself; Forgiveness is the deduction of one's self-concern." 朱熹：《四书集注》)。

　　If Ren is to be enlarged to the whole society, it would be as what Confucius once said: "To subdue one's self and return to propriety, is perfect virtue. If a junzi (君子： gentleman, nobleman) can for one day subdue himself and return to propriety, all under heaven will return to Ren (after his example). Is the practice of Ren from a man himself, or is it from others?"[23] "To subdue one's self" and "to return to propriety" are usually interpreted as paralleling teachings, but I don't think this is the best explanation of this doctrine. "To subdue one's self and return to propriety, is perfect virtue" actually means only the "returning to propriety" based on "subduing of one's self" could be regarded as Ren. Mr. Fei Xiaotong had his own interpretation about this doctrine: "Only after one has subdued one's self could one return to propriety. The return to propriety is prerequisite for one to enter the society and become a social man. Perhaps it is just on this point Western and Eastern civilizations have parted, that is, whether to expand or to subdue one's self."[24] I think Mr. Fei has made a proper remark. Zhu Xi also had an exegesis on this doctrine. "To subdue means to conquer," he said, "and the ‘self' means one's personal desires. To return means to restore, and the ‘propriety' means the laws and patterns of the Principle of Heaven." According to this exegesis, one should subdue one's personal desires to abide by proprieties and social criterions. Ren is one's natural virtues ("Love is born in nature."[25])； and propriety is exterior conventions to rule one's behavior, the function of which is to adjust social relationships so that people could live in harmony, as: "The most valuable function of propriety is harmony."[26] Only if one abides by proprieties and social criterions by free will, i.e. by an innate will to love people, could one fulfill the demands of Ren. Thus Confucius asked: "Is the practice of Ren from a man himself, or is it from others?" He made definite prescriptions to the relationship between Ren and propriety: "If a man be without Ren, what has he to do with the rites of propriety? If a man be without Ren, what has he to do with music?"[27] He who sets the rites or music without a heart of Benevolence and Love is hypocrite, and is in a purpose of cheat. It is in this sense that Confucius thought, if people would pursue Ren by freewill and practice the demanding of a heart of Benevolence and Love according to proprieties in everyday life, harmony and peace would be realized in society, -- "If a junzi can for one day subdue himself and return to propriety, all under heaven will return to Ren." I think this Confucian teaching is not totally meaningless for the political leaders of a state or the ruling classes in developed countries (United States in particular). "The politics of Ren" (仁政)， or "the Way of virtuous emperor" (王道) instead of "the Way of hegemon" (霸道)， is indispensable to "order the state" (治国) and to "harmonize all under Heaven" (平天下). If "the politics of Ren" or "the Way of virtuous emperor" is practiced, different cultures would be able to coexist and develop in peace; while "the Way of hegemon" will bring forth the "clash of civilizations", resulting in monoculturalism and cultural Hegemonism. If Confucian doctrine of Ren is applied in regulating intercultural relationships, clash or war of civilizations will be avoided, and the coexistence of civilizations achieved。

　　Of course, even the Confucian doctrine of Ren is no miracle drug to solve all the problems about the existence of civilizations in contemporary society. However, as a set of moral self-regulations based on Ren, it would undoubtedly be of some practical significance to harmonize the coexistence of civilizations if practiced as a principle to regulate intercultural relationships。

　　It is not easy to make different cultures get on in harmony and thus to make states and nations in different cultural traditions coexist in peace. Probably the Confucian doctrine of "Harmony in Diversity" (和而不同)[28] could provide us with an illuminating resource of thinking. According to Confucius, "The virtuous (junzi) get on in harmony without agreeing to each other; the base (xiaoren) agree with others without harmony."[29] Junzi, as intellectuals with moral discipline practicing the Way of Loyalty and Forgiveness, should try to get on in harmony in spite of their different opinions; but those with no morality or discipline always force others to accept their opinions, thus could not stay harmoniously. If this doctrine of "Harmony in Diversity" could be applied as a principle in dealing with intercultural relationships, it should be of very positive meaning to solve the conflicts among states or nations. It would be especially true in dealing with those disaccords and conflicts provoked by cultural differences (e.g. the differences on religious believes or values) among states or nations, that if we practice the teaching of "Harmony in Diversity" as principle to solve these conflicts。

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　　"Harmony" and "Sameness" are generally regarded as different concepts in traditional Chinese thinking. There was even "a debate on the difference between Harmony and Sameness". As a story recorded in Zuo-zhuan told us, once the Duke of Qi asked Yan-zi: "Is there only Ju get on with me in harmony?" The reply of Yan-zi was: "Ju merely expresses the same opinion with Your Highness, -- how could it be called harmony?" "Is there any difference between Harmony and Sameness?" asked the Duke. "They are quite different." replied Yan-zi, "Harmony is like well-cooked dish, you must concoct fish and meat with water, fire, vinegar, sauce, salt and plum, and then cook the dish with firewood. The cook harmonizes these flavors to make it moderate. If it is too light, then salt should be added; if too salty, then water. When Junzi dines with such a dish, his heart would be pacified. This is analogous to the relationship between the King and his magistrates... But Ju is different from it. When Your Highness say that something is right, he agrees; when Your Highness say the opposite, he agrees as well. It is as if to moderate water with water, -- who could tolerate to eat such a dish? Or as if a zither always plays the same tune, -- who could tolerate to enjoy such music? This is why Sameness differs from Harmony." (《左传•昭公二十年》) Another saying of Shibo (史伯) was recorded as: "In fact, only Harmony could activate the growth of lives, and Sameness would stop it on the contrary. Harmony is to moderate something with heterogeneous things, -- only in this way, the lives would flourish and find their belongings. If something is supplemented by homogeneous things, it could only be abandoned after exhausted. Thus the ancient virtuous emperors had concocted Earth with Metal, Wood, Water and Fire[30], to transform it into miscellaneous lives." [31](《国语•郑语》). From the quotes above we see that Harmony and Sameness are totally different concepts. Only under the presupposition of difference and correlation could things "be moderated with heterogeneity", and the diverse things progress together in harmony with each other. "To supplement something with homogeneity" is to aggregate the sameness, which would only suffocate the lives. The supreme ideal of traditional Chinese culture is that "miscellaneous lives are nourished together without harming each other; miscellaneous ways are practiced together without counteracting each other."[32] The "miscellaneous lives" and "miscellaneous ways" mean Diversity; the "without harming each other" and "without counteracting each other" mean Harmony. This doctrine would provide us with inexhaustible resource of thinking for the coexistence of diverse cultures。

　　Now in Western countries, people of insight have already admitted the possibility of coexistence of civilizations, that the clash or war provoked by mere cultural differences should be avoided. They believe that different nations and states should be able to achieve common understanding through cultural exchanges, dialogues, and discussions. This would be a process from "Diversity" to mutual understanding. This mutual understanding is neither to extinct nor to assimilate the other, but to find a crossing point in the coordinate system and to propel the progress of both cultures, -- such is the function of "Harmony". It is just because of the differences of cultures that human civilization has become so colorful, and that the inter-supplementary and interactive structure has been formed gradually in the flowing river of human history. Cultural differences might lead to clashes or even wars, but not all differences are destined to cause clashes or wars. Especially in an era when sciences and technologies are rapidly developing, a massive war, if it happened, would destroy human being ourselves. Thus we must endeavor to pursue the harmonious coexistence through intercultural dialogues. Many scholars in China and abroad has realized now the importance of mutual understanding achieved by the dialogues bridging different cultures; for example, Habermas, who begins to emphasize the concepts of justice and solidarity. In my opinion, they are significant principles in dealing with international cultural relationships. Habermas' "Principle of Justice" could be understood as a right for every national culture to protect its independence and autonomy and to develop by free will; his "Principle of Solidarity" could be understood as an obligation to sympathize, understand and respect other national cultures. By incessant dialogues and communications, there will be one day, sooner or later, that a positive cycle of interactions between different national cultures be formed.[33] Another example is Gadamer, the German philosopher who left us only recently. He proposed that "understanding" should be extended to "universal dialogue". Because of this extension, the relationship between subject and object (as cognitive or grammatical concepts) is able to be transformed from inequality to equality; in another word, only when the dialogists are in equal status could they have meaningful dialogues and fruitful results. Gadarmer's consciousness of equality between subject and object and his theory of "cultural dialogue" are important ideas earnestly needed by our time,[34] illuminating enough for us to understand properly and thoroughly the cultural or national relationships between China and other nations. However, no matter Habermas' principles of justice and solidarity or Gadamer's theory of universal dialogue, their common presupposition should be the principle of "Diverse Harmony", since, only when nations and states in different cultural traditions could coexist in harmony through dialogues, could they acquire equal rights and obligations and could the "universal dialogue" between them be meaningful and fruitful. Thus, the Confucian principle of "Harmony in Diversity" based on the belief that "harmony is most valuable"[35] could be practiced as one of the basic principles in dealing with intercultural relationships. This principle, if practiced in dealing with relationships between states and nations in different cultural traditions, would be of positive meaning not only in eliminating the disaccords, conflicts and even wars, but as dynamics in propelling states and nations to progress through communications. It is just in this sense that Bertrand Russell said: "Contacts between different civilizations have often in the past proved to be landmarks in human progress."[36] The contemporary human society needs different cultures to develop their proper traditional characters through mutual learning and convergence, in order to realize the coexistence of civilizations on a new basis。

　　(2) The Taoist Doctrine of the Way (tao) could provide significant resources of thinking to prevent "the clash of civilizations"。

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　　If Confucius is a "man of virtue" (仁者)， then Lao-zi is a "man of wisdom" (智者). The Way is the basic concept in Lao-zi's Tao Te Ching, while "the spontaneity and doing-nothing" (自然无为： to obey natural laws without offences) is the basic feature of the Way. "The spontaneity and doing-nothing is the Way of Heaven," said Wang Chong in his Lun Heng.[37] All kinds of conflicts in contemporary human society are undoubtedly caused by the greedy desires for power and wealth. Those great powers, in their pursuit of selfish gains and expansions of power, exploit the resources of undeveloped countries and practice a politics of great powers, which is the fundamental cause of global chaos. Lao-zi's doctrine of "spontaneity and doing-nothing" could be interpreted as to do nothing against people's will, which will render the society and the world peace. Lao-zi once quoted the saying of an ancient sage: "As I do nothing, the people will reform by themselves; since I like quiet, they will keep order by themselves; when I seek no trouble, the people will prosper by themselves; when I have no desire, they will live in austerity by themselves."[38] It means: the ruler with political powers should neither interfere his people (doing-nothing)， nor disturb their everyday life (liking quiet)， nor act against their will (seeking no trouble)， nor exploit them insatiably (having no desire)； thus, the people will reform by themselves, keep order by themselves, prosper by themselves, and live in austerity by themselves. If we give a modern interpretation to this teaching and renew it in contemporary world, it would not only render peace to a country but function significantly in eliminating the clash of civilizations. It could be interpreted as: in international politics, the more a country interferes another, the more chaotic the world will be; the more those great powers threaten others with military might, the more turbulent and disorderly the world will be; the more those great powers exploit the undeveloped countries under the pretext of international aids, the poorer those undeveloped countries will be; the more those developed countries desire and fight for the world dominance of wealth and power, the more immoral and terrorized the world will be. So I think, maybe the doctrine of "doing-nothing" is a medicine prescription for the leaders of the so-called "new empires". If they would accept this prescription, the world will have peace. However, the "new empires" always treat other states and nations with means of "doingness" (有为)， such as interference, exploitation or military threat, which is undoubtedly determined by its greedy desires in the nature of all empires. According to Lao-zi, "No calamity's worse than to be discontented. Nor is there a sin more dreadful than coveting. He who knows to be contented, truly he'll always be so."[39] Aren't the "new empires" discontented and coveting? Lao-zi said again: "Is not the Way of Heaven much like a bow bent? The upper part has been disturbed, pressed down; the lower part is raised up from its place; the slack is taken up; the slender width is broader drawn. For thus the Way of Heaven cuts people down when they have had too much, and fills the bowls of those who are in want. But not the way of man will work like this: the people who have not enough are spoiled, for tribute to the rich and surfeited."[40] Why is human society in a state of turbulence and disorder now? Isn't it totally caused by human being themselves, especially those leaders of "new empires" acting against the Way of Heaven and losing the hearts of men, practicing a policy of spoiling those who have not enough for tribute to the rich and surfeited? Isn't it the root of disaccords, conflicts and wars in contemporary world? Thus we find that the "clash of civilizations" theory is closely related with the theory of "new empire" hiding in its back。

　　Lao-zi strongly opposed wars for world peace. In Chapter 31, Tao Te Ching, he said: "Weapons at best are tools of bad omen, loathed by all. Thus those of the Way avoid them."[41] In wars there are always people dying, production destroyed and social orders broken, thus Lao-zi thinks it's nothing good, that people hate it, and statesmen of the Way should not engage the country in war to solve their problems. Again Lao-zi said: "To those who would help the ruler of men by means of the Way: let him not with his militant might try to conquer the world; this tactic will be revenged by Heaven. For where armies have marched, there do briers spring up; where great hosts are impressed, years of hunger and evil ensue."[42] This is generally true in histories of all nations. In our country, after each mass war, the population would reduce dramatically, earth disserted, production destroyed, and robbers and thieves infesting. The two world wars were ended in this way, and so is the present warfare in Middle East. "New empire" whatsoever, if its leaders enkindled wars every where, as consequence, it would surely slide into hot water, since the people in the conquered countries would not surrender, and would fight without fearing even death, as Lao-zi said: "The people do not fear at all to die; what's gained therefore by threatening them with death?"[43] And: "As for those who delight to do murder, it is certain they never can get from the world what they sought."[44] From history we see that those who had initiated the wars, though momentary successes they might get, would finally fail and be dishonored. Hitler was an example, and Japanese Militarism another. As a "man of wisdom", Lao-zi could observe the latent converse side with his wisdom, as he said: "On bad fortune the good fortune always leans; in good fortune the bad fortune always hides."[45] Now people in some countries are suffering, but it would be a necessary precondition prepared for their nation's renewal in future. Take an example from the recent hundred years of history of our country, it is just after being beaten times and times again that our people had finally waken up, and that today we dare say the Chinese are on the eve of their nation's great renewal. In my opinion, leaders of every country, especially of the new empires, should learn some teaching from the wisdom of Tao Te Ching, and realize that, in a long run of world history, the politics of great powers and Hegemonism have no future. Thus, I think the thinking of Lao-zi is very valuable to dismiss the theories of "clash of civilizations" and "new empire". We advocate the theory of "coexistence of civilizations" and agree with Lao-zi's thinking of "doing-nothing", in the expectation of a world of Great Equality, of peace, of general progress and of common wealth for human being. Of course, as the thinking of Lao-zi was born two thousand years ago, it could not solve all the problems that contemporary human society is confronted with (including the disaccords and conflicts among nations)， but his wisdom should be of important value to illuminate our way. Our task is to rediscover and develop the essence of his thinking, to give it a modern interpretation, and to facilitate those researchers for edifications in the treasury of classical thinking。

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　　Differences in religious believes, values and ways of thinking could lead to conflicts among nations and states; and conflicts could lead to wars. However, are conflicts inevitable? Couldn't they be pacified without warring for cultural differences? We must needs to find resources of thinking in all national cultures advocating the coexistence of civilizations, in order to counteract those cultural elements possible to invite conflicts. As argued above, the Confucianism and Taoism in Chinese culture could provide significant resources of thinking to counteract the clash of civilizations and to bring forth the coexistence of civilizations. I believe the same kind of resources could be found in cultures of all nations and states too. When human civilization is on threshold of the 21st century, should we practice a theory of "clash of civilizations" to deal with the problems among nations and states, or a theory of "coexistence of civilizations" to guide human society on a road leading to peaceful coexistence instead? This is a question. We must ponder at it seriously and make a thoughtful choice. It would be the blessing of human being if it chooses not the clash but the coexistence of civilizations. The Book of History told us: "All the states under Heaven should be harmonized."[46] As many other nations, the Chinese is a great one with a long and brilliant tradition of history and culture, which is undoubtedly a most valuable treasure for mankind. We should make good use of this treasure, exert its proper contributions to the peaceful coexistence of human society, in order that harmony might befall on the world, pushing forward the global cultural exchanges。

　　-- "Clash"or"Coexistence" of Civilizations? Tang Yijie From:(Beijing Forum) Translated by: YANG, Zhiyi

　　中文：

    照我看，也许我们正处在一个新的轴心时代。德国哲学家雅斯贝尔斯曾经提出"轴心时代"的观念。他认为，在公元前五百年前后，在古希腊、以色列、印度和中国几乎同时出现了伟大的思想家，他们都对人类关切的问题提出了独到看法。古希腊有苏格拉底、柏拉图，中国有老子、孔子，印度有释迦牟尼，以色列有犹太教的先知们，形成了不同的文化传统。这些文化传统经过两千多年的发展已经成为人类文化的主要精神财富，而且这些地域的不同文化，原来都是独立发展出来的，并没有互相影响。"人类一直*轴心时代所产生的思考和创造的一切而生存，每一次新的飞跃都回顾这一时期，并被它重新燃起火焰。自那以后，情况就是这样。轴心期潜力的苏醒和对轴心期潜力的回忆或曰复兴，总是提供了精神动力。"例如，欧洲的文艺复兴就是把目光投向其文化的源头古希腊，使欧洲文明重新燃起火焰，而对世界产生重大影响。中国的宋明理学(新儒学)在受到印度佛教文化冲击后，再次回到先秦的孔孟，而把中国本土哲学提高到一个新水平。在某种意义上说，当今世界多种文化的发展很可能是对二千多年前的轴心时代又一次新的飞跃。

　　中国文化能否为"文明的共存"作贡献

　　化解冲突，需要我们从各个不同民族的文化中找出文明共存的资源。中国文化中的儒道两家可以为化解"文明的冲突"、实现"文明的共存"提供有意义的资源。

　　中国文化要对当今人类社会的"文明的共存"作贡献，必须对自身文化有所了解，即对自身文化有一个"自觉"。

　　所谓"文化自觉"，是指一定文化传统的人群对其自身的文化来历、形成过程以及特点、发展趋势等能作出认真思考和反省。应该说，中华民族正处在民族复兴的前夜，因此我们必须对中国文化有个自觉的认识，必须给中国传统文化一个恰当的定位，认真发掘我们古老文化的真精神所在，以便把我们的优秀文化贡献给人类社会；认真反省我们自身文化的缺陷，以便我们更好地吸取其他国家和民族的文化精华，并在适应现化社会发展的总趋势下给中国文化以现代的诠释，这样，我们国家才能真正走在世界文化发展的前列，与其他各种文化一起共同创造美好新世界。

　　中国传统文化中主要是儒道两家，而且是儒道互补。当然，印度佛教传入后，对中国社会和文化也发生着重要影响。现在我想讨论一下儒道思想理论能否对"文明的共存"提供有意义的资源。

　　1、儒家的"仁学"为"文明的共存"提供了有积极意义的资源

　　《郭店竹简·性自命出》中说："道始于情"。这里的"道"说的是"人道"，即人与人的关系的原则，或者说社会关系的原则，它和"天道"不同，"天道"是指自然界的运行规律或宇宙的运行法则。人与人的关系是从感情开始建立的，这正是孔子"仁学"的基本出发点。"仁爱"的精神是人自身所具有的，而爱自己的亲人最根本。但是"仁"的精神不止于此；爱自己的亲人，这只是爱，爱自己的父亲，再扩大到爱别人，这才叫作"仁"。对父母的孝顺要放大到爱天下的老百姓。"仁学"是要由"亲亲"扩大到"仁民"，也就是说要"推己及人"。做到"推己及人"并不容易，必须把"己所不欲，勿施于人"，"己欲立而立人，己欲达而达人"的"忠恕之道"作为"为仁"的准则。如果要把"仁"推广到整个社会，这就是孔子说的："克己复礼曰仁，一日克己复礼，天下归仁焉。"自古以来把"克己"和"复礼"解释为两个平行的方面，我认为这不是对"克己复礼"好的解释。所谓"克己复礼曰仁"是说，只有在"克己"基础上的"复礼"才叫作"仁"。费孝通先生对此也有一解释："克己才能复礼，复礼是取得进入社会、成为一个社会人的必要条件。扬己和克己也许正是东西方文化的差别的一个关键。"这是很有道理的。"仁"是人自身内在的品德，"礼"是规范人的行为的外在礼仪制度，调节人与人之间的关系使之和谐相处。要人们遵守礼仪制度必须是自觉的，出乎内在的"爱人"之心，才符合"仁"的要求。所以孔子认为，有了追求"仁"的自觉要求，并把这种"仁爱之心"按照一定规范实现于日常社会之中，社会就会和谐安宁了。孔子和儒家的这套思想，对于一个国家的"治国"者，对于现在世界上那些发达国家的统治集团，不能说是没有意义的。如果把孔子的"仁学"理论用于处理不同文明之间的关系，那么在不同文明之间就不会引起冲突以至于战争，从而实现"文明的共存"。

　　孔子的"仁学"理论虽然不能解决当今人类社会存在的"文化的共存"的全部问题，但它作为一种建立在以"仁"为本之上的"律己"的道德要求，作为调节不同文化之间关系的一条准则，使不同文化得以和谐相处，无疑仍有一定的现实意义。

　　要使不同文化之间和谐相处并不容易，孔子提倡的"和而不同"可以提供极有意义的资源。孔子认为，以"和为贵"而行"忠恕之道"的有道德有学问的君子应该做到在不同中求得和谐相处；而不讲道德没有学问的人往往强迫别人接受他的主张而不能和谐相处。如果把"和而不同"用作处理不同文化之间关系的原则，对于解决当今不同国家与民族之间的纷争应有非常积极的意义。

　　现在西方国家的有识之士都认识到不同文明之间应能共存。不同民族和国家应该通过文化的交往与对话，在对话(商谈)和讨论中取得某种"共识"，这是由"不同"到某种意义上的相互"认同"的过程。这种相互"认同"不是一方消灭一方，也不是一方"同化"一方，而是在两种不同文化中寻找交汇点，并在此基础上推动双方文化的发展，这正是"和"的作用。其中，德国思想家哈贝马斯提出了"正义"和"团结"的观念；我认为，把它们作为处理不同民族文化之间关系的原则，是有意义的。哈贝马斯的"正义原则"可理解为，要保障每一种民族文化独立自主、按照其民族的意愿发展的权利；"团结原则"可理解为，要求对其他民族文化有同情理解和尊重的义务。不断通过对话和交往等途径，总可以在不同民族文化间形成互动中的良性循环。不久前去世的德国哲学家伽达默尔提出，应把"理解"扩展到"广义对话"层面，主体与对象(主观与客观或主与宾)才得以从不平等地位过渡到平等地位；反过来说，只有对话双方处于平等地位，对话才可能真正进行并顺利完成。可以说，伽达默尔所持的主体--对象平等意识和文化对话论，正是我们这个时代所需要的重要理念。这种理念，对我们正确深入地理解中外文化、民族关系等，具有重要启示。但是，无论是"正义"和"团结"原则，还是"广义对话论"，都要以承认"和而不同"原则为前提，这样，不同文化传统的民族与国家才能获得平等权利和义务。儒家"和而不同"原则应成为处理不同文化之间的一条基本原则。罗素说："不同文明之间的交流过去已经多次证明是人类文明发展的里程碑。"当今人类社会，需要的正是不同文化在相互吸收和融合中发展不同的文化传统的特色，以期达到在新的基础上的"文化的共存"。

　　2、道家的"道论"能为防止"文明的冲突"提供有意义的资源

　　如果说孔子是一位"仁者"，那么老子则是一位"智者"。《道德经》中，"道"是基本概念，而"自然无为"(顺应自然规律，不做违背自然规律的事)是"道"的基本特性。今日人类社会之所以存在种种纷争，无疑是由于贪婪追求权力和金钱引起的。那些强国为了私利，扩张势力，掠夺弱国的资源，实行强权政治，正是世界混乱无序的根源。帝国霸权正是"文明冲突"的根源。老子说：古代圣人曾经说过："我无为而民自化，我好静而民自正，我无事而民自富，我无欲而民自朴。"意思是说：掌握权力的统治者不应该对老百姓作过多的干涉(无为)，不要扰乱老百姓的正常生活(好静)，不要作违背老百姓意愿的事(无事)，不要贪得无厌地盘剥老百姓(无欲)，这样老百姓就会自己教化自己(自化)，自己走上正轨(自正)，自己富足起来(自富)，自己生活朴素。如果对这段话给以现代诠释，那就不仅可以使一个国家内部安宁，而且对消除不同文明之间的冲突无疑有重要意义。为什么今日世界人类社会处在一种十分混乱不安定的状态？这完全是由人自身造成的，特别是那些"新帝国"的领导者造成的，他们违背了"天道"，失去了"人心"，奉行的是"损不足以奉有余";"文明的冲突"论与其背后的"新帝国"论有着密切联系。

　　为了社会的和平和安宁，老子强烈地反对战争。《道德经》第三十一章说："夫兵者，不祥之器，物或恶之，故有道者不处。"(打仗用兵是不吉祥的东西，大家都厌恶它，所以有道德的人不使用它。)战争总要死人，总要破坏生产，使社会秩序破坏。老子又说："以道佐人主者，不以兵强天下，其事好还。师之所处，荆棘生焉，大军之后，必有凶年。"(我们应该用道德来告诫领导者，不要用兵力逞强于天下。用兵这件事一定会得到报应。军队所到的地方，就会破坏一切，使荆棘丛生。大战之后，一定会是荒年。)反观各国历史，无不如此。从历史上看，发动战争的人虽然一时可以得逞，但最终总要失败。世界各国应从《道德经》中吸取智慧，认识到强权政治、霸权主义从长期的世界历史发展看是没有前途的。老子思想对消解"文明的冲突"论、新"帝国论"是十分有价值的。当然，两千多年前的老子思想不可能全然解决当今人类社会的问题(包括各民族之间的矛盾、冲突等问题)，但是他的智慧之光对我们应有重要启示。我们应该做的，是如何发掘和发挥他的思想精华并给以现代诠释，使之有利于人们得到某些宝贵启示。

　　在不同民族和国家之间，由于宗教信仰的不同、价值观念的不同、思维方式的不同可能引起冲突，甚至可能由冲突导致战争。但是，是否必然要引起冲突，能不能化解冲突、使之不因文化的不同而导致战争，这就需要我们从各个不同民族的文化中找出文明共存的资源。如上所述，中国文化中的儒道两家可以为化解"文明的冲突"、实现"文明的共存"提供有意义的资源。我相信，在各民族、各国家的文化中同样有可以化解"文明的冲突"并实现"文明的共存"的有价值的资源。是用"文明冲突论"来处理各民族、国家间的问题，还是用"文明共存论"来引导人类社会走向和平共处，这是当前必须认真考虑和慎重选择的问题。反对"文明冲突"论，倡导"文明共存"论，无疑是人类社会的福祉。《尚书·尧典》说："协和万邦"。中华民族和其他许多民族一样是伟大的民族，有很长灿烂光辉的历史文化传统，对人类社会是极为宝贵的财富。我们对这笔财富应善加利用，使之为实现不同文化之间的协调共存，推进世界各种文化之间的交流，做出应有的贡献。

　　--节选自《"文明的冲突"与"文明的共存"》作者 汤一介教授

　　People of different civilizations, such as Islamic civilization, Christian civilization or Chinese civilization, have different views on the relations between God and man, the individual and the group, the citizen and the state, parents and children, husband and wife, as well as differing views of the relative importance of rights and responsibilities, liberty and authority, equality and hierarchy. These differences are the product of centuries. They will not soon disappear. They are far more fundamental than differences among political ideologies and political regimes。

　　-- Harvard University's Samuel Huntington

　　中文：不同文明的人们，诸如伊斯兰文明、基督教文明或中国文明，有着不同的思维对于神和人的关系、个人和团体的关系、公民和国家的关系、父母和孩子的关系、丈夫和妻子的关系，同样，对于权利和责任、自由和权威、平等和阶层两者相对的重要性有着不同的看法。这些不同是很多世纪的产物。他们将不会那么快就消失掉的。它们远比政治的意识形态和政治的组织形式之间的不同根本的多。