“不言之教”是什么教?——兼论先秦道家教育思想的原创性特质

What is“Education Without Words”?——A Kind of Analysis About the Originality of the Pre-Qin Taoist Educational Thought

先秦道家的“不言之教”主要不是一种教育方法或途径,而是一种教育理念或教育思想体系。就目的而言,“不言之教”是关于“天道”的教育,即培养具有“天道”品格并能依以此行事的“有道者”。就内容而言,“不言之教”是关于“意”的教育,即通过教育获得反思之“意”与实践之“意”,形成符合“天道”品格的价值观并具有实践这种价值观的能力。就方法而言,“不言之教”是自我教育,即通过“自为”“自化”的自我教育,使人能够依照“天道”的品格自我发展与自我完善。就治理原则而言,“不言之教”是“自然”“无为”的教育,即以“自然”与“无为”原则加以实施和治理,充分释放人与教育的活力,以达“天道”“无为而无不为”之效果。先秦道家的“不言之教”,是中国教育史上最早关于默会知识的教育主张,并第一次提出“无为而治”的教育治理理念和“师资”的概念,使其成为具有原创性、独特性并富有生命力的教育思想体系。

Taoism’s“teaching without words”refers to the education of“Tao”,which is mainly not an educational method or approach,but an educational idea or educational ideology.In terms of purpose,“teaching without words”is the education of“virtuous people”who cultivate the“Taoist”and can act in accordance with“Tao”.As far as content is concerned,“teaching without words”is the teaching of“inexpressible and indescribable words”,that is,the“meaning”of reflection and the“meaning”of practice through education,so that the educated obtain the ability to reflect and practice,form values of“heaven and nature”,as well as realize such values.As far as the method is concerned,“teaching without words”is a way of self-education combined with“self-reliance”and“self-sufficiency”,which enables people to acquire the ability to develop themselves.In terms of principles,“teaching without words”is the teaching of“action without intention”,which needs to be implemented and governed by the principle of“letting things take their own course”,to fully release the vitality of people and education.Thus,the educational concept of the pre-Qin Taoism is unique and full of vitality.