黄老道家无为而治思想及其治理智慧

The Notion of Wuwei in Huang-Lao Taoism and Its Governance Wisdom

黄老道家作为一种突出治理主题的政治思想,源出于老子,融合了诸子,它既是战国后期诸子思想渗透融合的产物,也体现了古老的治理传统,是一种较为成熟的治世学说。在黄老道家的治理思想中,"无为而治"具有特别重要的纲领性作用,集中体现了黄老道家思想中的道家成分。在内容上,"无为而治"的思想内容既集中指向治理者的"政",突出了简政放权的原则;也指向了统治者的自我节制,突出了清心寡欲的要求;同时还指向统治者的权术手腕,突出了不被臣下所趁的防奸意识。"无为而治"的思想作为一种治理的智慧在今天仍然有重要的地位与应用价值。它提醒现代复杂社会的治理者要警惕自己的所谓理性,治理者应自觉地简政无为,淡化宏大的改造社会心理,正确处理国富和民富的关系,实现现代复杂社会的稳健有序,保持社会的充盈活力,实现共同体的持久繁荣。

Huang-Lao Taoism, a political theory characterized by governance, can be traced back to Lao Zi.As a mixture of thoughts from various schools in the late Warring States period, Huang-Lao Taoism is a relatively mature theory of governance reflecting ancient governance traditions.Among its thoughts on governance,“governing by wuwei （ literally, taking no action）” plays a pivotal role which highlights Taoism.From the perspective of content, “governing by wuwei” requires rulers to stream-line administration and delegate more power to lower-level governments.Also, it demands self-control of rulers in accordance with Lao Zi’s idea of cleansing one’s heart and overcoming one’s desires.More-over, this notion, when used to describe a political tactics, focuses on how a ruler can avoid getting cheated by the dishonest members in his cabinet.Nowadays, “governing by wuwei” is still of great significance and practical value.It reminds governors in modern society with great complexity of their so-called rationality.Besides, it helps governors willingly streamline administration, weaken their de-sire to transform society, and correctly deal with the relationship between the wealth of nation and that of people.On this basis, it is likely to keep our society in order with vitality, thus realizing a common and long-lasting prosperity.