渐进改良而非革命:严复的政治变革道路选择

Progressive Improvement Rather Than Revolution: Yan Fu's Choice of Path for Political Change

甲午海殇以后,严复以传播西学为契机,依循其对天演进化论规律的承认,为中国描绘了一幅融通皇权政治与西方政体的政治改革蓝图。但由于政治哲学基础的局限和认识的偏差,严复的道路选择与其美好政治夙愿出现了抵牾。尽管他的变革方案随着时局发展而有所调适,但终究不能和解现实与理想的巨大矛盾。在严复所处的时代,美好的救亡强国愿景最终只能依靠与旧势力彻底决裂的革命道路来实现。

After the Sino-Japanese War,Yan Fu took the opportunity of spreading Western studies and painted a blueprint for political reform combining imperial power and western regimes.Relying on the conservative position of advocating social stability and order,he carefully designed the path of progressive improvement.On the one hand,it follows his recognition of the law of evolution.On the other hand,based on his comparison of the history of anglo-french revolution,he deduces the reform axiom of progressive improvement rather than revolution.However,due to the limitation of the foundation of political philosophy and the deviation of cognition,the choice of Yan Fu’s way is in contradiction with his long-cherished wish of good politics.Although his reform plan was adjusted with the development of current political situation,it could not reconcile the great contradiction between reality and ideal.In his era,the best wishes of saving the nation and strengthening the nation could only be achieved by the revolutionary road of breaking completely with the old forces.