“学而优则仕”——试论中国传统知识分子的政治依附性

“Officialdom Is the Natural Outlet for Good Scholars”—— Political Dependence on Chinese Traditional Intellectuals

要对当今的中国知识分子有所认识,就必须对中国传统知识分子进行回顾。中国几千年的皇权专制传统,给中国传统知识分子带来的影响是,既主动追求一种对政治的依附,同时又坚守着一种"兼济天下"的传统价值理想。随着科举制的成熟和完善,"志于道"的理想最终被"学而优则仕"的现实利益所掩盖,成为服务于君王的工具。今天,虽然市场经济已经重新形塑了社会的方方面面,但知识分子对于政治权力的依附心理仍然根深蒂固,成为公共层面的中国知识分子发挥作用的最大阻力。

To better understand today's contemporary intellectuals in China, it is necessary to study Chinese traditional intellectuals. The tradition of imperial autarchy in China for thousands of years poses impacts on Chinese traditional intellectuals, that is, they take the initia-tive to pursue the political dependence while sticking to traditional value and ideal of 'caring for the whole society'. With the maturity and improvement of imperial examination system, the ideal of 'striving for ultimate perfection' was finally concealed by realistic interests of 'of-ficialdom is the natural outlet for good scholars'. Thus, it becomes an instrument serving for the interests of the king. Today, though market economy has re-shaped all social aspects, it remains deep-rooted that intellectuals have psychological dependence on political power, which is the biggest resistance for Chinese intellectuals to play their roles in the public sectors.