"Overall, the purpose of primary education in your country is to cultivate qualified primary human resources. However, these educational methods are not conducive to cultivating independent personality, nor are they helpful in cultivating young people to respect individual values, respect individual rights and freedoms, and bring heavy burdens to the diversity of higher education.

"That's what I'm going to say next." Dewey pushed his eyeglasses "the problem of sagittal education."

Zheng Yu nodded: "Mr. Dewey, please speak freely, and there is no need to have any doubts."

"Imperial University is the university with the most academic autonomy and the highest degree of autonomy in your country. Students' open minds and flexibility are also the best," Dewey said. "But in my opinion, Imperial University is still not as good as Zhida."

Zheng Yu didn't say anything.

"This is not only a matter of school-running ideas, but is related to the overall atmosphere of the entire society, and also to the reality of primary and secondary education." Dewey said, "These students have been instilled in nationalism, nationalism, utilitarianism, and authoritarianism since their early childhood and family education. When they arrived at universities, they were academic autonomy and open-minded, but the ideological convergence of the group ideology greatly damaged the cultivation of this diverse dynasty."

"For example, although Imperial University emphasizes academic autonomy, student autonomy, government and even parliament have no direct influence on Imperial University, within Imperial University, the autonomous organizations of teachers and students have destroyed autonomy and diversity to some extent. For example, the various associations formed by students of Imperial University themselves have distinct political colors, and basically all have nationalism as the main theme, but only the difference in the degree of progress. During the National War, the main wars within the Imperial University had an absolute advantage. If teachers promote pacifism in the classroom, students would immediately strike, complain, post big-character posters, and student groups marched on campus to condemn them."

"Public opinion outside the school also influences the atmosphere in the school. Taking the previous national cultural discussion as an example, when "national quintessence is very high, various "national quintessences and groups promote the retro and rejuvenation of the Han Dynasty. When Mr. Beizhu's article comes out and even His Majesty expresses his opinions, the trend in the school changes again, and it is the turn of the whole nation to denounce the retro and rejuvenation of the Han Dynasty. It is very interesting."

"In this way, relying solely on academic autonomy of universities cannot guarantee the diversified cultivation of talents and the shaping of free thoughts. Education is a systematic project. In addition to school education at all levels, it also requires overall cultural and public opinion guidance, and even changes in the whole society."

Zheng Yu nodded: "This is certain. What does it mean by sir?"

"I hope to know what kind of society you want to build. In your country, education is ultimately subject to the overall needs of society." Dewey said slowly. "In my opinion, His Majesty's educational thoughts should be to build a nationalist nation-state with certain different ideas within the middle and upper classes. What about you?"

"You have expanded the power of the local Senate, maintained the constitution, weakened the dominance of the party, expanded public opinion supervision, and encouraged the cultural breaking of mi trust in the authority of saints. In my opinion, this shows that you hope to expand the foundation of democracy and the rule of law and continue to follow the path of modern democracy and the rule of law." Dewey said, "However, your rule seems to be still based on authoritarianism. While you weakened the power of the Baak Party and strengthened the power of the national representatives, you are also strengthening your actual authority. While you brought the traditional saints down from the altar, you have been pushing your father to the de facto altar. Of course, I never deny that the Emperor of China is an unprecedented great man. But I am stating a fact that I hope to understand, what kind of society do you want to build, and in your society, what position do education lies? What goals should you achieve?"

Zheng Yu looked at the American educator, felt the sincerity in the other party's tone, and gradually determined his judgment.

John Dewey, like many American academic elites in this era and later generations, did not put money first. They were ambitious and hoped to have a greater impact on society and the whole world, and believed from the bottom of their heart that American values ​​have superiority and universality. Although they had a strong interest in other cultures, their purpose was to study to absorb beneficial ingredients to supplement American culture, and at the same time, they also focused on strengthening the penetration and assimilation of American values ​​into these cultures.

They were not colonists in their original intentions, nor were they greedy and insatiable Western invaders. Most of them were noble in morality, believed in Christ, were open-minded, and were kind to others. But in their hearts, they looked down on other cultures, especially those of backward nations. Their behavior was more Christian Messianic complex. Everyone subconsciously regarded themselves as Prometheus who brought civilization to backward nations, and as the savior of the wild world and the depraved nations.

In China, he has gained both fame and fortune. At Imperial University, he is considered to be less than one person and more than ten thousand people, and he has cultivated the future elites of this country.

Then what else he wants?

The answer is not difficult to imagine: the greatest hope of American academic stars like him to come to China in this era is undoubtedly to bring American values ​​to China, spread widely, and achieve the development of American cultural territory.

The character Zheng has no disgust for American culture itself... Instead, he has a lot of appreciation. Based on the judgment criteria of things that can be wielded in heaven, the history of later generations has tested the superiority of American drawings.

But the problem is as Dewey said, whether it is education or culture, it is not a simple thing, but is adapted to the entire society and influenced each other. Culture does not rely on school education and public opinion guidance, but interacts with the entire social and economic foundation and social organization structure.

As the saying goes, oranges grow in Huaibei are citrus, which has been a landslide in American culture to a country that has been traditional for five thousand years, with its own system and authoritative culture dominates. However, this country has a strong nationalist sentiment and tradition, and a proud sense of historical superiority. The chaos brought about is not easily predictable. The seeds of dragons are planted and fleas are collected. It is not difficult to understand this sentence. Just look at later Russia and India will understand what is going on.

Perhaps some small city-state-style countries with simple social structures and a single ethnic group, such as South Korea, can complete the tasks of nasal culture and social transformation to a certain extent under a specific historical background, but what about major countries with complex ethnic groups, complex society, heavy historical burdens, and deep-rooted inherent cultures?

Zheng Ying is not an idealist paranoid, so he chose the path of improving step by step based on reality in culture. But what follows? After this national war, the situation of this country has undergone earth-shaking changes, both internal and external. How can future education and culture cooperate with this change?

Zheng Yu looked at Dewey with a smile, took off the kettle that had just been boiled, took out the fragrant coffee beans and added them to Dewey's cup, and brewed it for Dewey himself, mixing it well. Dewey was also a little surprised: "Your Majesty..." "John, you are a friend of the Chinese. There is a saying in China that it is a pleasure to have friends from afar?" Zheng Yu smiled, "Of course you came here not for money, but for the people here in the East, right? You want to make them live in a more civilized and dignified way, and hope that this country will embark on a bright road. So you will not praise me, but will speak out the problem frankly, and hope to find a more reasonable educational route for this country. Because of this, I respect you very much."

John and Dewey looked at the young man opposite and couldn't help but feel a little moved. He stood up and bowed deeply: "Your Majesty, your personality makes me admire you. I will definitely know everything." "That's it." Zheng Yu smiled and handed the prepared coffee to Dewey. "Mr. Dewey, the country I want to build is actually what you have said. I never say one thing to do one thing. I proposed the idea of ​​science, rule of law, and civil rights as the leading idea of ​​the country, so naturally we must build a country belonging to all the people, a country with a rule of law, a country with a scientific spirit, and a country that attaches importance to civil rights. As for some of the policies I have adopted, they are also things that have to be done to achieve this big goal.,...

"In China, any social and cultural change is extremely complex and miserable. It takes a long process for such a great country to get rid of thousands of years of ignorance, realize the enlightenment of mankind, replace God with mankind, and gradually replace authoritative thoughts with independent thoughts, and also requires the efforts of many knowledgeable people. How long did it take for Europe to go through this process? It took three hundred years from Martin Luther to your country's Declaration of Independence and the French Declaration of Human Rights. And it has been a matter of recent decades for Europe to truly consolidate the democratic system... Even until now, there are too many countries dominated by authoritarianism and feudalism in Europe, such as the Iberian Peninsula, and Russia before......" "This process itself is complex, repetitive, and changeable, so the measures should be adapted to the times and local conditions.

"Zheng Yu said, "Please don't doubt that the society I want to realize is a human society with the rule of law and science as the core. In this society, individual values ​​will be respected and balanced with public interests. For education, what I hope is to cultivate citizens who are self-esteem, self-confidence, self-reliance and enterprising, rather than slaves who have weak knees, dizziness, flattery at the top, cruel to the bottom, weak to the outside, arrogant to the inside, full of lies, and dirty behavior."

Dewey was slightly stunned. He really didn't expect that the emperor was so straightforward and was so merciless about the so-called drawbacks of traditional education in talent cultivation.

"Your Majesty, in my opinion, your country's traditional education also has many questions worth learning from, and some disadvantages are not the original intention..."

"Okay, John, I'm not discriminating against the so-called traditional education. We're just talking about the matter." Zheng Yu waved his hand and said, "It's better to go back to the original proposition. I've answered your question, and it's time to express your suggestions for education."

Dewey nodded, drank minced coffee, closed his eyes and thought for a moment, and then opened...

"First of all, I must explain my views on education. All my suggestions are actually based on these most basic concepts." Dewey said. "In my opinion, education is not a preparation for future life. That is to say, education cannot only consider methods from the perspective of the teaching staff, but from the perspective of the children themselves. Because for children, education is life itself."

Zheng Yu was slightly stunned. He really hadn't considered this issue from this perspective.

"Humans themselves are creatures with the instinct of growth. After millions of years of evolution, this instinct of human growth is in line with the "way of heaven," which is also a manifestation of the unity of man and nature.

Therefore, the nature of the development of children is primitive instinct growth. If you violate this instinctual education goal, it will definitely go against your wishes. In the end, it will suppress the growth of children and force them to tell lies, and have different opinions. Learn to temporarily succumb to authority as long as conditions allow, you will abandon all this and indulge your own expectations."

Dewey's words made Zheng Yu's mood heavier in an instant.

If Dewey said, then the so-called traditional education would not be able to cultivate real citizens. Whether they are talking about autocracy or democracy, the state or individual, power or responsibility, they are still slaves in their bones.

Is this really the case?

"So, education itself is actually the process of children's growth itself, not a purpose imposed by the outside world. Education for children should start from the children's own life and let children experience morality and knowledge from their own life. Therefore, the school is not a simple classroom, but a society. The purpose of the school is to allow students to come into contact with relatively good social customs in this social life, and create a balanced, broad and beautiful environment, so that children can live a healthy life and grow up healthily."

Zheng Yu asked suspiciously: "The current boarding system in the empire's junior and high schools adopts. Isn't this a society?"

"Boarding is also very common abroad." Dewey nodded, "Especially aristocratic schools, almost all boarding systems are boarding systems. The purpose is to cultivate students' collectivism and public responsibility, form awe of public constitutions, and allow them to achieve personality shaping through collective interaction in a relatively closed environment. These boarding schools have a long tradition, a strong educational tradition, and form a unique style. This is also the foundation of European and American elite education."

"But according to your statement, this seems to be unbalanced, vast and beautiful?"

“I don’t think that education is perfect.

"John, Dewey was surprised Zheng Yu again as soon as he spoke. "This kind of education, with the gradual collapse of the aristocratic class and the equalization of society, will eventually have to change. Real education will eventually follow the path of civilians rather than elites. The foundation of a country lies in excellent compulsory education... Well, this is a bit far away, so let's go back to the topic."

Dewey smiled: "The foundation of education is to regard children as individuals with people, rights and freedom. What they need is guidance and help, rather than top-down education. Children are born with a desire to do things and have a strong interest in activities. They are naturally not interested in books and classroom preaching. Therefore, simply using classroom cramming cannot truly allow students to accept this knowledge and morality, they will only force their memory and deal with exams.

Knowledge has become a kind of existence that is disconnected from life. School education should focus on various details in the form of a society and enable children to better learn to get along with people, with nature, and develop themselves in society through internal interactions, daily life and various activities.

Children should be encouraged to take responsibility and enjoy corresponding rights, encourage them to make choices and be responsible for the results, and encourage them to actively use the morality and knowledge they have learned in these processes."

"Taking teaching as an example, the most important thing about teaching is not to teach students knowledge, but to give them the method of thinking. As the saying goes, "It is better to teach people how to fish than to teach people how to fish." Only by better mastering the thinking methods can we achieve continuous progress in society, otherwise we can only be limited to the inherent thinking and logical framework."

"If you only instill knowledge itself and cannot encourage students to take the initiative to think and make decisions through activities and inspiration, it will be difficult to cultivate students' logical thinking, but instead one-sidedly believe in the so-called authoritative theories and conclusions. This will be very unfavorable for the country's academic progress and ideological innovation, and it will be difficult to cultivate the spirit of democracy and the rule of law, nor will it promote the people to participate in political activities with a correct attitude."

"In my opinion, Chinese culture always lacks logical thinking, but is accustomed to metaphysical supervisory imagination. The main reason for this is that Chinese education adopts an authoritative indoctrination method. In the past, people's speeches and teachers' speeches were authority, and they were suppressed layer by layer. Students can only passively accept them and use them as irrefutable truths. They rarely question whether the words of the saints are correct or not, and naturally they will not have a logical reasoning and pragmatic spirit."

"Even if China has introduced science now, if it still has an authoritative education model, and even adds the forced indoctrination of the Eastern traditional style on this basis, science will become a mechanical and static thing, and no longer a dynamic, logical, constantly moving forward and developing academic."

"I think a thinking process is divided into five steps, one is the difficult situation: the second is to determine the problem: the third is to propose various assumptions to solve the problem: the fourth is to infer these assumptions: the fifth is to verify or modify the assumption. The order of these five steps is not fixed."!.
Chapter completed!