<論説>日中両国の初期民権思想と進化論

Abstract

本稿は明治初年の日本自由民権思想や、一八九八年中国の戊戌変法期中における康有為・梁啓超らの維新変革思想に進化論が与えた影響などが、いったいどうであったのかを究明しようとするものである。進化論が日本に移植されたのは、明治初年の頃であるのに対して、中国に入ったのは日清戦役の頃である。これら両国の進化論受容の歴史的過程からみると、それらの民権思想界に反映された様相はさまざまである。それらを相互比較して検討し、その共通性と相違点をあきらかにすることが本稿の主要な課題である。

In this article I have tried to analyze modern political thought in Japan and China, particurarly how the theory of evolution took its place in the histories of the two countries. Here, I must point out that by evolution I mean social evolution, which was first introduced into Japan and later China at the end of the 19th century, not biological evolution. This is a comparative study of modern political thought, and I have found it convenient to divide my conclusions into three main points, as follows : 1) Both Japan and China, in the age of an enlightenment movement, were extremely fond of the ideals of British utilitarianism. 2) In accordance with Herbert Spencer's theory of evolution, Japan and China rejected radical revolution and advanced their reforms gradually. 3) The theory of selection (survival of the fittest) provided a stimulus for the formation of nationalism in Japan and China. This nationalism was earnestly needed to repel the threat of the Western Powers in order to bring about the independence of two countries.