重溯士之社会历史起源

On the origin of the scholar in the Chinese history

士阶层的起源历来多认为在春秋战国时代,此固然不错,但此问题有待深入探析。进一步的研究会发现,士阶层起源远自西周时代已出现,春秋战国时代之社会转型,只不过成为包括士阶层在内的社会阶层转化过程之加速剂。此外由于孔子所创新型社会教育体制中的思想转换因素,把士由旧式的社会政治仆役,塑造成新型社会文化守护者的角色。

It is almost generally recognized that the scholar class in the Chinese history began in the Spring and Autumn Period. Of course it is a justifiable assumption, which leaves much to be explored. Further studies of the issue show that its origin can be traced back to the Western Zhou Dynasty. The social transformation in the Spring and Autumn Period brought about the changes of social classes and the sholar class is no exception. In addition, the Confucian ideology of education also helped transform the class from a political servant into a guardian of social culture.