林毓生先生寫了一篇論文批判新儒家聯合署名發表的〈宣言〉，尤其對牟宗三先生的「民主開出說」提出質疑。張灝先生強調「幽暗意識」對西方自由主義和民主制度的影響，因此論斷儒家思想無法開出現代的民主立憲制度。這些觀點引起李明輝先生的回應，分別以兩篇文章來反駁上述說法。本文先釐清「民主開出說」的定義及內涵，然後說明張灝先生的「幽暗意識」說雖有創意，但不夠周延，因為性惡論與性善論都是各有所偏，要看「民主」的定義是甚麼來決定。至於林毓先生對新儒家的批評，儘管從現代社會科學的角度來看，有些論點的確有它的理據，但是林先生忽略了新儒家發表〈宣言〉的主要目標和時代背景，因此，他的批判還是有些值得商榷的地方。本文剖析雙方的立場的意見，指出其中爭論的焦點，最後提出較合理的說明和論斷。

　　　　　Mr. Lin Yu-sheng wrote a dissertation criticizing the manifesto of Neo-Confucianism. It was aimed especially at Mr. Mou Zong-san's notion of theory of implementing democracy. Mr. Zhang Hao contended that western liberalism and democratization was influenced by the theory of the “dark side of consciousness”, subsequently, Neo-Confucianism couldn't possibly form a modern constitutional system. These ideas provoked a response from Mr. Li Ming-hui in two articles he wrote rebuking Mr. Zhang's theories. This article would like to initially clarify the meaning and implications of the “theory of implementing democracy” and then further explain the creativeness of Mr. Zheng's “implication of consciousness”. He, however, lacks completeness in this theory as he employs the concept of an “original human nature” which has its inherent bias, but is essential in forming a definition of democracy. I would then like to evaluate Mr. Lin's criticism of Neo-Confucianism. Although he approached his subject from a modern social scientific perspective, he still ignored the main goal and background of the Neo-Confucian manifesto. There are therefore still some points in his arguments that merit further investigation. This article looks at both thinker's positions and opinions, points out the focus of their arguments, and finally attempts to put forth a reasonable explanation and evaluation.