Liberal education的多重涵义及其现代意义:一个类型学的历史分析

Liberal education是西方教育思想史中的几个核心概念之一,但学界对这一概念的认识长期被其模糊性所困扰。本文通过思想史和类型学方法,对这一概念在历史上形成的多重涵义进行了梳理。研究发现,liberal education一词在历史上具有十种主要的语义,这十种语义分别从教育对象(自由人、绅士、自由公民)、功能(非功利教育、通识性教育、心智自由、心智训练)和内容(古典教育、人文学、文理学科)三个维度对这一概念进行了界定。这一概念在不同历史时期沉淀的语义一方面是“相互论证”的,另一方面也存在不一致甚至冲突之处。从课程实践角度来看,深入分析liberal education的多重涵义对于当下的本科教育改革也具有一定的启发价值。在未来的大学课程改革中,应更多强调通识课程的心智训练价值和公民素质培养的价值。

The Multiple Meanings of Liberal Education and Its Modern Significance:A Historical and Typological Analysis

The term "liberal education"is one of several core concepts in the history of western educational thought,but its understanding has long been debated due to its vagueness.This article uses methods of typology and intellectual history to sort out the multiple meanings of this concept in history.Studies have found that "liberal education"has ten main semantic meanings in history.These ten meanings range from educational objects(freeman,gentlemen,free citizens),functions(non-utilitarian education, mental training, mental freedom,and general education)and content(classical education,humanities,liberal arts and sciences).On the one hand,the definitions of this concept originated from different historical periods were mutually supportive,but on the other hand,there were inconsistencies and even conflicts between these meanings.From the perspective of curriculum practice,an in-depth analysis of the multiple meanings of liberal education also has important implications for improving the current undergraduate education reform.In future university curriculum reforms,more emphasis should be placed on the value of mental training and civic engagement in general education.