“无为”之“德”:老子哲学的政治关怀及其现代价值

The Virtue of Inaction:Political Concern and Its Modern Value of Lao Tzu's Philosophy

基于对前时代"德"观念的反思和批判,老子创立了由"自然之道"通往"无为之德"的"玄德"观念体系,该体系通过对"下德"("伪德")的思辨性重建,推动传统"德"观念进入形上状态,摆脱了孔儒哲学的"教化性"倾向,使"德"观念回归于自然理性状态,开启了中国思辨哲学之先河,为中国政治哲学树立了全新理念。"无为"根本之意在于"勿妄为",它要求减少强制、慎战惜战、节制私欲、拒斥"伪德"。追寻老子哲学的政治关怀,并发掘其"无为"之"德"的现代价值,对于当代中国的现代化政治改革和政治实践具有重要借鉴意义。

Based on the reflection and criticism of the concept of 'virtue' in the earlier era, Lao Tzu created the conceptual system of 'virtue' from 'the way of nature' to 'virtue of inaction'. Through the speculative reconstruction of 'virtue', this system pushed the concept of 'virtue' into a metaphysical state for the first time, and got rid of the tendency of 'enlightenment' in Confucius’ philosophical system. The idea of 'virtue' returned to natural reason, pioneered the forerunner of Chinese speculative philosophy, and established a new concept for Chinese political philosophy. The fundamental meaning of 'inaction' is 'not to act rashly'. It requires reducing compulsion, being cautious in warfare, controlling selfish desires and rejecting 'hypocrisy'. The purpose of this paper is to pursue the political concern of Lao Tzu’s philosophy and to explore the modern value of his 'virtue' of 'inaction', which is of great significance to China’s modern political reform and political practice.