科举试论的历史考察与现实省思

Historical Investigation and Realistic Thinking on the Discourse of the Imperial Examination

论作为科举考试的一类题型,在我国有着悠久的历史。早在唐高宗时期论即被纳入进士科考试,及至中晚唐,论成为独立的考试题型。宋代科举普及经史论,论的写作格式逐渐定型。清初试论围绕基于《孝经》抑或《性理》命题有过政令反复,因易藏关节,乾隆后期不再基于《性理》命题,清末短暂恢复试史论,随着科举被废,论最终退出历史舞台。科举试论初期增加了考试的多样性、灵活性与实用性,中后期程式化写作则限制了士人驰骋才思、自由论辩的空间,影响了考生个性发挥与考试公平。科举试论于今仍具启示:1)考试题型与内容的设计要符合国家的施教理念与育人标准;2)考试题型与内容应立足人才选拔的需要,当其展露弊端时应及时调整、改革乃至废除;3)应稳妥推进考试改革,把握好公平与效率、规范与个性的动态平衡。

Discourse,as the main type of question in the imperial examination,has a long history in China.First,it was accepted in Jinshi Examination during the period of Emperor Gaozong of the Tang Dynasty and became an independent question type during the middle and late Tang Dynasty.Second,the discourse of classics and history was popularized in the imperial examination,and the writing format was gradually finalized during the Song Dynasty.Third,adjustments were made to the propositions of discourse based on the“Book of Filial Piety”or“Collection of Neo-Confucianism”during the early Qing Dynasty,and the question type was abolished in the late Qianlong period because it was easy to cheat in this examination.However,discourse on the history of Chinese politics was restored in the imperial examination after the 1901 Reform.Finally,with the abolition of the imperial examination,the discourse was also ended and stepped down from the stage of history.In fact,the diversity,flexibility and practicability of the imperial examination were increased by adding the discourse in the early period of imperial China,while the stylization of discourse reduced the personality and fairness of the examination in the middle and later periods of imperial China.The analysis of discourse in the examination has enlightenment significance for examination reform nowadays,that is:a)The changes of question types and contents of examination are closely related to the changes of political and educational ideas;b)We should respect the objective law of the development of the examination.The design of question types and contents of examinations should be based on the selection of practical talents for the country and society,and they should be adjusted,reformed and even abolished when problems occur;c)The examination reform should be steadily promoted,and the dynamic balance between fairness and efficiency,norms and personality should be well grasped.