阿诺德的中国少数者

Arnold’s Chinese Remnant

马修·阿诺德是维多利亚时期著名的文学批评家和社会批评家。他认为人文教育和文化熏陶对当时英国日渐兴起的民主格外重要。本文认为,阿诺德其时其地对其国人的忠告对当下的中国仍有重要意义。1867年通过的《第二改革法案》赋予(男性)工人阶级选举权,其时的英国已经成为一个富强的国家,但在阿诺德看来,英国如无远虑,不足以在未来站稳脚跟。阿诺德坚信,无论哪个国家,终将是那部分有奉献精神的、无私的少数人,即那部分“正直的少数者”把国家从庸俗和混乱的状态中拯救出来,他们的存在意义要远远大于那些疲于奔命的芸芸众生。或许,当下的中国有必要呼唤阿诺德力荐的“少数者”,致力于激发和提升人们高雅的心智和品味。

As a great Viotorian literary and social critic, Matthew Arnold often talked about the importance of liberal education and culture for England＇ s emerging democracy. Using Arnold＇ s words for the most part, this paper suggests that what Arnold said to his countrymen then still matters much to China at the present time. When the Second Reform Bill （1867） extended voting rights to members of the （male） working class, England had already become a nation rich and powerful but not, in Arnold＇ s view, farsighted enough to survive successfully into the future. Arnold believes that in every state it is a dedicated and selfless minority, a ＂righteous remnant＂, that points to a way of life that is larger than that of ＂money-making＂ and saves the state from vulgarity and anarchy. Perhaps there is a need now to call for an Arnoldian remnant in China devoted to encouraging a high standard in matters of intellect and taste.