在历史语境下探讨科举制度的公平性

Fairness of the Imperial Examination System in the Context of Ancient China

在历史语境下对科举制度进行分析,发现其具有以下实质:是儒家理想的践行以及统治者以儒学为统治基础的实践方式;是统治者强化中央集权君主专制制度的政治手段;是保障封建社会长治久安的重要制度基础。在此基础上,对科举制度的公平性进行辨析:科举在九品中正制与察举制的基础上产生表现出了缘起的公平;科举考试资格和过程在历史语境下表现出机会的公平;科举在更深层次考虑了考试公平问题,在实际上也能促进社会阶层的流动,表现出了实质的公平。总之,科举是历史的产物,对科举的态度就是对历史的态度,要对历史进行"移情性理解",不能过分苛责历史。

Looked upon in the historical context of ancient China,the Imperial Examination system is the practice of Confucian ideals and Confucianism-based governance;it is also a political tool used by the rulers to strengthen the centralized monarchy autocratic system;furthermore,it is the institutional foundation to ensure the long-term stability of the feudal society.The fairness of the Imperial Examination can be seen from its origins,its way of offering opportunities,and its actual effect in boosting the mobility of social classes.In a nutshell,the Imperial Examination is the product of history and the attitude to it is the attitude to history.We should have an“empathetic understanding”of history instead of over-scolding it.