论老子“尊道贵德”思想的政治伦理轴向

《老子》一书把"道"作为哲学、伦理学的最高范畴。道是万有的本原和内在法则,德是万有的本性和内在根据。因为准则性的东西生发于"内心",可以遵守可以不遵守,所以"内圣外王"对于思想家永远是个难题。但是,道家通过"尊道贵德"破解了这一难题。他通过"道"—"德"的辩证关系,即道是德的体,德是道的用,在形而上学层面为政治伦理奠定了精神哲学基础。尊道贵德的君王应以"无为"的态度来处理世事,实行"不言"的教导。文章首先阐释"尊道"与"贵德"思想的文本根源,进而提出问题:《老子》是为谁设计的道德?探究老子写作的政治旨趣,最后分析老子"尊道贵德"思想作为政治伦理活性基元的理论意义及现实价值。

On the Political and Moral Basis of Lao Tzu's Ideas of "Honoring Tao and Pursuing Virtue "

Classic of the Tao and Virtue takes ＂Tao＂ as the highest category of philosophy and morality. Tao is the origin and the inherent law of all things, while Virtue is the nature and inner basis of all things. Since all that concerns standards comes from＂ inner heart＂, which can be either abided by or not, to appear as a saint inside and a king outside has long been a tough problem. However, the Taoists successfully solved the problem through ＂honoring Tao and pursuing Virtue＂. They laid the spiritual and philosophical foundation for political ethics by following the dialectical relation between＂ Tao＂ and ＂Virtue＂ ,according to which Tao is the body of Virtue and Virtue the use of Tao. The kings who honored Tao and pursued Virtue should adopt an attitude of ＂doing nothing＂ to deal with every situation, following the teachings of＂ uttering no word＂. This article first interprets the text source of the idea of ＂ honoring＂ Tao and pusuing Virtue, and then raises a question：for whom is the moral in Tao Te Jing designed？ to explore Lao Tzu＇s political interests in writing. Finally,it analyzes the theoretical significance and practical value of that idea as an actively foundamental element of political ethics.