《老子》“民自化”观念研究

On Lao Tzu's “Min Zi Hua” Concept

《老子》中有一种"民自化"的观念,指民众在社会伦理生活之中合理地、主动地变化、发展。"民自化"有一个前提,这就是圣人或者说统治者的"无为"与"自知""自爱""自胜"。"民自化"的具体内涵可从三个层面来考察,第一个层面是"自朴""自正""自富",第二个层面是"民利百倍""民复孝慈""盗贼无有",第三个层面是"自均"。"民自化"的实现标识着良好社会的形成。在与儒家教化思想的对比下,"民自化"具有三个较为独特和重要的特征:在主动变化中做减法以及简易性;营造适度、宽松的空间、氛围;由人的质朴到社会的质朴,并伴随实质上的趋同性和去等级化。

"Min Zi Hua"(民自化), a concept in Lao Tzu, refers to the fact that people will be reasonably self-civilized without interference in social and ethical life; the prerequisite must be the saints or rulers' "Wu Wei"(无为 inaction),"Zi Zhi"(自知 self-knowledge),"Zi Ai"(自爱 self-respect), and"Zi Sheng"(自胜 self-restraint). The connotation of"Min Zi Hua"can be viewed at three levels. The first level consists of"Zi Pu"(自朴 unsophisticated),"Zi Zheng"(自正 upright)and"Zi Fu"(自富 affluent). The second level includes"Min Li Bai Bei "(民利百倍 people gaining benefits),"Min Fu Xiao Ci"(民复孝慈 filial piety and parental tenderness restored), and"Dao Zei Wu You"(盗 贼 无 有 no thieves). The third level is"Zi Jun"(自均 even wealth distribution). The realization of"Min Zi Hua"marks the formation of a good society.In contrast to Confucian"Jiao Hua"(教化),"Min Zi Hua"has three unique and important features: simplified change; a moderately relaxed space and atmosphere; unsophisticated people in a plain society without substantial hierarchies.