Caring For Life

Value-direction of the current schooling in China, studied in the background of transition andproblems of schooling, is the principle matter which infiuences the self-renovation of schoolingand is the important research in the theory of schooling in China.In the previous study on value-directon of schooling, there exist several deficiencies:statements about the conceptual precondition, such as "times","schooling","value of schooling"and "humans", are vacant; the thinking mode of dualism is commonly employed; discrimination,standpoint and dimension are not consciously arrived at. Attempts to re-establish value-directionof schooling have been made by the scholars in China and aboard since 1990's, among these aneffort of "life-direction" deserves our attention. But scholars study it in the different levels andfurther study is demanded.In the concrete context in China,the transition, exhibiting generally in the public and privateprovisions, witnessing the transformation of the Chinese life style, rebuild the relatonshipsbetween humans and the world. The transition that happens in China now is a entirely culturaltransition that calls for life from the profound perspective. This transition will reconstruct aninter-dependent and mutual-growth and mutual-prosperous relation pattem between individualsand society and call for an individual who has an active existence and be filled with the energy oflife and offer the possibility for the aPpearance of sound individual. Thus the schooling in Chinaneeds transformation entirely and profoundly and the maneuver of re-establishing the newvalue-direction.The profound question existing in the current schooling in China is the overlook to theindividual life, and the reform on schooling shows the characteristics of segregation andsuperficiality The statu quo that reflects the great dislocation between value-direction andtransition challenges us to have a theoretical study on value-direction in schooling in China.I find that "life" is the foundation on the inter-link among schooling, times and humans bystudying the preconditions such as life, schooling and value of schooling. The human's life impliesan active existcnce compelled by "life-ward" instinct, indicates the pursuit to the life span and lifeexperience and suggests the self renewal by the organizaion of life resources. "Schooling", anaffiuent life pattern, a life defended by the institution, filled with awareness of consciousness, hasan indisputable impact on individual life and demands us consciously be responsible for life. Valueof schooling is the possibility that better the existence of life and improve the quality of life.Value-direction of schooling is the conscious choice to value in schooling.The value-directon of "caring for life" can be employed in schooling in China. Thisvalue-direction means that schooling should face the fact of life existence and take responsibilityby self identity; that schooling should care for life as the basic performance by the ontologicalprecondition of "life", that schooling should cultivate an individual who has an active lifeexistence and filled with the energy and soundness, and that schooling should self reform whollyand profoundly and promote the growth of life by the constructive way This value-directionreflects the demands of transition and the individual life. The support from reality lays the entireand profound value of schooling and awakening of human's consciousness.The value-direction manifest in the reestablishment of schooling's aims, the transformation ofschooling's basic life mode and the transformation of schooling's management.Based on the background of "complicated" times and on the belief on the power of theindividual life, this value-direction makes an access to reality by practice of the creative schoolingreform.