内容提要：本文认为，孔子的中庸思想，有其内在的逻辑：“尚中”是中庸的逻辑起点，“时中”是中庸的内在本质，“中正”是中庸的规范准则，“中和”是中庸的理想目标。“尚中”的基本内涵是“无过无不及”，“时中”的基本内涵是“无可无不可”，“中正”的基本内涵是“礼义”，“中和”的基本内涵是天人和谐之美。其中，“尚中”观念为传统所固有，为孔子所继承。“时中”、“中正”及“中和”的观念是孔子对传统“尚中”观念的丰富和发展，也是孔子中庸思想的核心之所在。
    关键词：中庸、时中、中正、中和

    The Inherit Logicality of Confucius Theory of “The Mean”

        Abstract: Confucius theory of “The Mean (Zhongyong)” has its Inherit Logicality, (Zhongyong, usually translated as “The Mean”, means to attain due measure and degree and to avoid extremes.) the author’s viewpoint can be summarized as the following four points:

    First, the logical start of “the Mean” theory is “Shangzhong”, (which means to lay great stress on “the Mean” always.) The essence of “the Mean” is “Shizhong”, (meaning to adhere to the principles of “the Mean” all the time. This can also be explained as “to seize the right time and attain due measure and degree”.)  “Zhongzheng ” is the “canon” of “the Mean”, (which means to follow the principles of “the Mean” in accordance of the morns of the society.) “Zhonghe”, (meaning to attain a highly harmonious state,) is the ideal target of the theory of “the Mean”.

    The basic connotation of “Shangzhong” is “not to overdo and not to underdo” or “no much and no less”. “Shizhong” means “nothing wrong and nothing right because of that judgement to a thing varies at different time”.  “Zhongzheng” is “propriety and righteousness”. “Zhonghe” a highly harmonious state of the nature. “Shangzhong” is a concept belonging to traditional theory originally. And the concepts of “Shizhong”, “Zhongzheng” and “Zhonghe” were developed from the “Shangzhong” by Confucius. These concepts, which are the major part of “the Mean” theory of Confucius, had greatly enriched and expanded the theory of “Shangzhong”.

     Key Words: the Mean 、Shizhong、“Zhongzheng 、Zhonghe

    “中庸”思想，起源甚古。相传早在氏族社会，帝喾便“溉执中而遍天下”。[1]（五帝本纪）尧舜时代，又有所谓“允执其中”的说法。[2]（尧曰）成书于殷周之际的《周易》一书，更是鲜明地体现了“尚中”的倾向，如在《易经》六十四卦中，被《易传》及后来的易学称为“中爻”的二、五两爻吉辞最多，合计占47.06%，差不多占到了总数的一半；其凶辞最少，合计仅占13.94%。[3](p146)足见其对“中”的重视。春秋末期的著名哲学家孔子，十分重视对三代文化的传承和弘扬，在他的思想中，也包含了丰富的“尚中”观念。以此为出发点，孔子建构了自己的“中庸”思想体系。本文即对此予以简要的剖析。

    一、尚中：中庸的逻辑起点

    孔子的“中庸”思想，其逻辑起点，是传统的“尚中”观