“君子不器”衍义——泛论儒家人文传统对现代教育的启示

On“Exemplary Persons Are Not Mere Vessels”:Enlightenment to Modern Education from the Humanistic Tradition of Confucianism

传统儒家的人文精神在一定程度上可以用孔子所说"君子不器"一语来概括。基于对人之特性的认识,儒家主张以德性修养的方式,证成人之为人的独特价值,"君子"就是由此成就的理想人格。君子的德性成就,不限于自修其身,还内在地包含和体现着对社会责任的担当。围绕修己成德这个目标,道义至上的原则被贯穿到知识学习、建功立业等一切事为中,这也是"不器"的主要内涵。而经典教育则是培养上述价值理念的主要方式。儒家关于人的认识及相应价值判断,对当今中国开展人文教育,仍有启发之益。

The humanistic spirit of Confucianism,to some extent,can be summarized as＂exemplary persons are not mere vessels＂ which said by Confucius. Based on the understanding of human’s specific characteristics, Confucian advocates that a man should confirm his unique value by virtue cultivation,and then become an exemplary person. An exemplary person is not only care himself but also the whole society. Aimed at virtue cultivation,the principle that supremacy of virtue runs through everything such as knowledge learning and interests making, this is the main connotation of＂ not mere vessels＂. To cultivate this kind of value idea,the main way is classic education. The above theories of Confucianism are sill have reference meaning for modern humanistic education.