老子的政治哲学与当代政治实践

Laozi's Political Philosophy and Contemporary Political Practice

将老子的政治思想视为"君人南面之术"过于简单,已经遭到学界的诸多批判。事实上,老子的政治哲学以天道观为最高原则,围绕自然与无为两个概念展开。老子的自然概念有两层内涵:"根源性自然"与"自觉性自然",前者体现了对事物本性的尊重;后者彰显了人的主体性,蕴含着人的自由。然而人的自由是有限度的,绝对的自由不仅不存在,亦不可能。无为正是对自然的规范,体现了对自由意志的约束,对权力的节制。老子认为理想的治理状况应该是统治者以无为的方式治理天下,促成老百姓的自然。老子自然无为的政治哲学思想深刻影响了当代政治实践,很多政治家在政治实践中都表达了对老子政治哲学的借鉴与推崇。

To summarize Laozi＇s political thought as a kind of art of imperial governance is a na？ve over-simplification and has been criticized by numerous scholars. In fact, Laozi＇s political philosophy has ＂the way of heaven（tiandao）＂ as its highest principle, which revolves around the concepts of ＂ziran＂ and ＂wuwei＂. To Laozi,the meaning of ziran contains two levels： that of the ＂original ziran＂ and that of the ＂self-conscious ziran＂. The former reflects a respect for the nature of things, while the latter emphasizes human subjectivity and agency.Human freedom is doubtless limited; absolute freedom is nonexistent and unattainable. Wuwei means precisely the normalization of ziran, an imposition of restriction on free will and administrative power. Ideal governance may be attained by the governor＇s use of wuwei, which indeed promotes ziran among the governed. Laozi＇s political philosophy of ziran and wuwei deeply influenced contemporary political practice and was widely used and admired by many politicians of the time.