師不能嚴，道亦難尊？當代華人「尊師」之雙重內涵、功能及轉化

Can Knowledge (Dao) Be Honored Whether or Not the Teacher Is Respected? The Dual Connotations, Function, and Transformation of Respect for Teachers in a Contemporary Confucian Society

傳統儒家社會對「尊師」的推崇，並不只是為了鞏固上位者（老師）的權威，而是認為學生尊師後，才能有好的學習。時至今日，由於受到西方平等價值的影響，尊師面臨部分學者與民眾之批評，被認為是威權象徵，應予廢除。到底尊師是好是壞？要延續或廢除？當代社會有正反兩極反應。從學術角度提問，本研究問題意識為：表面的尊師口號或行為，其背後是否有更複雜的心理意涵？不同的內涵帶來哪些不同的功能？尊師帶來好的學習嗎？又尊師下的不同內涵是否有轉化之可能？以上提問，對當前社會對於尊師與否的爭議，提供不同視角。為了對尊師有系統性理解，本研究採「由上而下」與「由下而上」並行的策略：先從本土理論出發，由上而下對尊師做初步理論分析，接著進行質性研究，採個別深度訪談由下而上蒐集質性資料，最後透過上下的對話與調和，發展尊師之概念架構。在深度訪談13位學生，資料分析後發現：尊師具「敬重師長」（敬師）與「畏懼師長」（畏師）雙重內涵；其中，敬師包含「視如尊長」與「心存敬重」，畏師包含「負向期待」與「心生畏懼」。進一步深入探討後發現：敬師與畏師各有不同的社會文化與成長經驗的來源。值得注意的是，作為類似性格的結構，一般化的敬師與畏師或許不易改變，但透過師生互動中的特殊機制，學生對特定教師的「敬」與「畏」的確有轉化之可能。更重要的，敬師與畏師對師生互動與學生學習發揮著不同作用與功能。「敬師」對師生互動與學生學習發揮正面功能，而「畏師」較可能產生負面作用，這或許可回應社會對於尊師之爭議，也可回應：「師不能嚴，道亦難尊？」的問題。綜言之，本研究的尊師概念架構，包含「敬師」與「畏師」之雙重內涵，可釐清當代民眾對尊師的爭議。從兩種內涵對師生互動與學生學習之影響來看，尊師中的「敬師」或許是在當代社會值得保留的內涵，對學習有幫助，但尊師中的「畏師」則須加以轉化。因此，尊師拆成「敬師」與「畏師」兩個內涵，要反思批判的是尊師中的「畏師」帶來的負向結果，並非「尊師現象」本身。期盼本研究對現代台灣教育現狀能提供更深刻的理解架構。

In traditional Confucian society, values emphasizing respect for teachers was not only important for solidifying the authority of the upper class (including teachers), people also believed that students can only learn well by respecting teachers. Essentially, respect for teachers was hierarchical and reverential. In modern times, some scholars and members of the public have applied the Western value of equality to criticize the traditional emphasis on respect for teachers. They regard respect for teachers as a symbol of authoritarianism that should be abolished. Numerous Confucian societies around East Asia may be facing the question of identifying the modern benefits and drawbacks of the traditional emphasis on respect for teachers.
In this article, we examine several academic questions surrounding respect for teachers: Does the superficial phenomenon of the controversy over respect for teachers have more complex psychological implications and connotations? If so, what are the different functions corresponding to the different connotations? Does respect for teachers result in better learning? Is it possible to transform respect for teachers? Examining these questions can shed light on the current controversy over whether or not government policy should support the traditional values emphasizing respect for teachers.
Most current teacher-student relationship theories originate from Western cultures. They cannot explain local phenomenon or controversies arising from the traditional emphasis on respect for teachers in Confucian societies. A culture-compatible theoretical conceptual framework is needed. We adopted parallel theoretical top-down and data-driven bottom-up strategies to develop such a framework.
Starting with indigenous constructs and theories such as the principle of respecting the superior, authoritarian orientation, and the distinction between obligatory and actual affection, we conducted a preliminary theoretical top down analysis of respect for teachers. This analysis provided initial insight into respect for teachers.
Next, we conducted qualitative individual in-depth interviews with 13 students (6 male and 7 female). Their mean age was 23.4. Template analysis of the transcripts revealed that respect for teachers contains the dual connotations of“reverence for teachers”and“fear of teachers.”Each connotation encompassed two aspects: Reverence included regarding teachers as respectful elders, and treating teachers with reverence. Fear included a negative expectation of teacher-student interaction, and a feeling of dread toward teachers.
Reverence and Fear stem from socio-cultural influences and personal experiences. With reverence for teachers, students regard teachers as respected elders or seniors in their family and treat them with due respect, which is a type of obligatory affection. Fear of teachers is developed through interactional experiences accumulated over time. It entails forming negative expectations of interaction with teachers and spontaneous fear, which is a type of actual (negative) affection.
As a trait-like structure, generalized reverence for teachers and fear of teachers may be difficult to change. However, through specific mechanisms during teacher-student interaction, it is possible that a student’s reverence for or fear of a particular teacher may be transformed. For example, if the teacher fulfills their teaching role, the student’s respect for the teacher may grow from obligatory into actual affection. If the teacher treats students well and truly cares about them, students’fear will diminish. It is noteworthy that reverence for teachers may bring out the positive functions of teacher-student interaction and student learning, but fear of teachers may have a negative impact.
In summary, in order to clarify the controversy over respect for teachers in contemporary society, we established a conceptual framework of respect for teachers that encompasses the dual connotations of reverence for teachers and fear of teachers. Based on the different impacts of each of these connotations on teacher-student interaction and student learning, the reverence component may be helpful for learning and worth preserving in contemporary society, but the fear component should be transformed. It is the fear component of respect for teachers that brings negative impact rather than the global phenomenon of respect for teachers. This study offers a more profound understanding of teacher-student relationships in Taiwan.