教育的世俗化转向:洛克“白板说”的教育意蕴及当代审思-清华大学教育研究

文章信息/Info

Title:: Secularization of Education: Locke’s Theory of “Tabula Rasa” and Its Reflection

Author(s):: WANG Hui; Center for Classical Civilization, Renmin University of China

Keywords:: tabula rasa; secularization of education; educational revolution; teleology; Locke

摘要:: 西方现代教育肇始于神圣性向世俗化的转向,洛克的“白板说”是这一过程中的关键一环。“白板说”力图张扬一种世俗化的实践原则,其以人类“趋乐避苦”的倾向为起点,以追求可衡量的、安稳的世俗幸福为目的。在这一理念的指导下,洛克的道德教育不再引导人们朝向一种道德完善的至善目的,而是旨在帮助人们获取一种实用的道德法则,使其能够正确地追求自我利益与荣誉、进而促进生活的便利。因此,洛克的教育学背离了“古典目的论”,后者认为,教育的目的或责任是实现人类形式中所隐含的高贵与完美。“白板说”一方面为现代教育摆脱宗教狂热,走向启蒙理性奠定了基础,但是另一方面,如何在一个世俗世界重新敞开人类道德的超越性纬度,也是洛克乃至当今教育始终需要回应的一个疑难。

Abstract:: Locke’s theory of “tabula rasa” is a key link in the process of Western modern education from holiness to secularity. This theory attempts to advocate a kind of practice principle, which starts from the human inclination of “desire of happiness and aversion to misery” and aims at pursuing measurable and stable secular happiness. Under the conduct of this idea, Locke’s moral education no longer guides people towards the “summum bonum”, but only helps people to obtain the moral principles that can correctly pursue honor and self-interest, thereby improving the conveniences of life. Therefore, Locke’s pedagogy deviates from the “teleology” which believes that the purpose or duty of education is to achieve the perfection implicit in human form. On the one hand, the theory of “tabula rasa” has laid the foundation for modern education to get rid of enthusiasm and move towards enlightenment, However, how to reopen the transcendental latitude of human morality in a secular world is also a difficult problem that Locke and even today’s education always needs to respond to.