唐代明经科试的体系、方式及其地位变化

The System,Mode and Status Change of the Imperial Classics Examination in the Tang Dynasty

文章着重述论唐代明经科试的体系、方式及其地位变化,认为唐代明经科的科目体系呈现出逐渐延展的特点,这说明统治者始终视明经素养为选拔官员的基本条件。唐代明经体系的考试方式以帖经、问义和答策三场试为基础,又有问义和答策的两场试,其主旨是用帖经试考察举子精熟经典的能力,用问义试考察举子明经义理的能力,用答策试考察举子学以致用的能力。这种三位一体的结构模式突出了儒学与选官相结合的核心价值。唐代明经科的名义地位始终居常举诸科之首,在唐代中叶以前确实选拔了一些精于儒学吏道的人才,不乏有官至宰相的。但是,至唐代中叶以后明经科的实际地位渐呈下降趋势,甚至被人轻视。其根本原因在于,儒学自身的发展缺乏新意,明经试法偏守章句之学,以及最高统治者内心看法的微妙变化。

This paper mainly discusses the system,mode and status change of the imperial classics examination in the Tang Dynasty（ICETD）,arguing that the system of ICETD showed the feature of gradual extension,which proves that the rulers had always regarded outstanding accomplishment in classics as the fundamental requirement for selection of officials.ICETD was grounded on three tests： test based on classics,meaning test,and strategy test.Also,it was sometimes based on two tests only： meaning test,and strategy test.The test based on classics was intended to check the candidates＇ proficiency in classics;the meaning test was aimed to examine their ability to understand meanings and ideas of the classics;the strategfy test was meant to test their capability of applying their knowledge.This triple examination pattern highlighted the core value of a combination of Confucialism with selection of officials.ICETD was always placed above all the other imperial examinations.And before the middle period of Tang Dynasty,quite a number of talented people were selected who were at home in Confucialism and mastered the ways of officialdom.Some of them held high-ranking offices,including that of the prime minister.But after the middle period of Tang Dynasty,the actual status of ICETD gradually declined and it was even belittled.The fundamental reasons were as follows： Confucialism itself lacked creative development;ICETD included too much on syntax;there were subtle changes in the mind of the supreme ruler.