严复晚年政治思想再评价——以严复与袁世凯的关系为例

Reconsideration of Yan Fu's Political Thoughts in His Later Years——An Example of the Relationships Between Yan Fu and Yuan Shikai

对于严复晚年的政治思想,学界一直以来褒贬不一,特别是对于严复晚年支持袁世凯在清末民初的政治活动并参与袁世凯称帝复辟、反对共和、支持君主立宪制等行为,学界多持否定或批判的态度。综观严复与袁世凯的交往,不难发现,通过改良的方式建立君主立宪制是严复终其一生为之努力的政治理想,在当时特定的历史条件下,袁世凯是严复达成自己政治理想的最佳人选。然而由于时代的矛盾性以及袁世凯自身的复杂性,严复对袁世凯的评价一直是毁誉参半,但总体而言还算公允。

The academia has mixed political thought of Yan Fu in his later years, especially sup- ported for Yuan Shikai＇ s political activities in the late Qing Dynasty and participated in Yuan Shikai＇ s restoration activities, against the Republican, supported the monarchy and other acts. Many scholars deny or criticize Yan Fu＇ s behavior. In communication, it is not difficult to find that improving the way of constitutional monarchy is Yah Fu＇ s political ideals with his lifelong efforts. In the specific historical conditions, Yuan Shikai is the best candidate for Yan Fu to reach his political ideal. However, since the contradiction of the times and Yuan Shikai＇ s complexity, Yan Fu＇ s understanding and evaluation on Yuan Shikai is mixed and generally just.