性情目題是中國傳統中極為重要的問題，這個問題在不同的形式，文章主要是從這個問題在宋代的發展入手，著力考察了朱子與當時的湖湘學者就仁與愛之關係所進行的討論，從而揭示了性情問題的重要性及道學內部的分流：以伊川、朱子為代表的下學派，主張工夫只是下學之涵藝致知，而上達自在其中；另一派則為以明道、五峰為代表的上達派，主張工夫只是上達之識仁，學下學之克己自在其中。道學內部的這種分歧很大程度上是基於對性情問題的不同把握，文章力圖探究這種不同是怎樣影響到道學的分流。

　　　　　I think, what is crucially important and widely neglected in the research of traditional Chinese philosphy is the problem concerning about the relationship between these two notion: "Xing" (which means "innate nature") and "Qing" (which means "natural tendency"). It could be discerned as a pivotal clue in different stages in the development of traditional Chinese philosophy. I would like to point out how it has manifested in the movement of Neo-Confucianism in song dynasty, which has caused different branches of this philosophical movement. And I think it would be clear to understand their different interpretations of this problem, if we would pay attention to the disputation between Chu His andNan-hsuan on the distinction between the two notions "Ran" (which means Benevolence or Goodness) and "Ai" (which means Affection or Love). The opposite standpoints in their treatment of these two notions "Ren" and "Ai" has revealed the different comprehensions of the fundamental problem about "Xing" and "Qing" between these two schools of Neo-Confucianism. The school represented by Chu His emphasized the necessity to cultivate and discipline oneself in practice emphasized the necessity to cultivate and discipline oneself in practice so as to able to approach the inner Goodness, that is, to "Shi Ren" (to have the insight into Goodness). But the opposite perspective which was taken by "Hu-hsiang" scholars, especially that of Nan-hsuan, claimed that it is only through the comprehension of the Goodness, that is, only one has the ability to grasp the Goodness immediately, that he would do appropriately in practical life and thus it would be natural for him to obtain the practical wisdom or scrutiny and self-discipline which was heavily stressed by Chu His. I hope that through my interpretation of the debate aroused by different perspectives about the distinction between "Ren" and "Ai" in Neo-Confucianism and the consequences caused by it, one would get the impression of the significance of the problem of "Xing" and "Qing" in the development of traditional Chinese philosophy.