Whitehead's Theory Of Knowledge And Its Enlightenment

Reviewing the history of basic education curriculum reform in our country,it is found that reforms in different periods had all been deeply influenced by the theory of knowledge.It is not exaggerated to say that basic education curriculum reform had been based on the cognizing and understanding of the theory of knowledge.Behind the educational problems in reformations were some issues in the theory of knowledge or philosophy.Before new curriculum reformation,the basic education in our country was affected by the knowledge view of objectivism,emphasizing objectivity,universality and neutrality of knowledge,which promoted the propagation of scientific knowledge and the popularization of education on one hand.However,on the other hand,due to the suppression of subjectivity by the knowledge view of objectivism,factorization of education and mechanization of teaching began to take over basic education.Since the new curriculum reform,the focus of education in China began to transform from test-oriented to quality-oriented,from objectivism knowledge view to constructivism and deconstruction knowledge view.The objectivity,universality and neutrality of knowledge was minimized or even denied.Rather,the subjectivity,situationality and value of knowledge was emphasized.Though the new curriculum reform had achieved good results in advocating subjective initiative,arising students' imagination and creativity,improving students' abilities of self and group learning,it also had some disadvantages in dealing with the relationship between the objectivity and subjectivity of knowledge,mastering knowledge system and logic of discipline,carrying out emotional aims and balancing teaching and learning,and it embarked a heated debate among people.During the debate and exploration towards problems,people began to realize that it might not be a wise choice to take side between the objectivism knowledge view and constructivism and deconstruction knowledge view.But trying to reconcile the three views is much more difficult.In the process of trying to solve the problems and difficulties faced by the new curriculum reform,Whitehead's theory of knowledge became the research focus.Whitehead's theory of knowledge promoted some ideas basing on Organism Philosophy.Firstly,knowledge is the discrimination of consciousness from the object of experience,the theme of natural knowledge is relevance,and the knowledge view of organic integrity is emphasized.Secondly,knowledge is both subjective and objective.Knowledge originates from the subjective consciousness of human beings and is restricted by the desire of the subject.Meanwhile,it has the ability to objectively reflect the nature and elements of things.Thirdly,knowledge system is the capital of ideas and the key to our specialization.Fourthly,science is the ideological organization of experience and the continuous exploration of the integrity of things.To sum up,Whitehead's theory of knowledge contains the recognition of objectivism knowledge view to knowledge objectivity and the importance of knowledge system and discipline logic.It also believes the respects of the subjectivity of knowledge and acknowledgment of the great value of students' subjective initiative,like constructivism and deconstruction knowledge view.Based on the current situation of China' s basic education curriculum reform,we urgently need to jump out of the shackles of the objectivism,constructivism and deconstruction knowledge view,and broaden the horizon of the theory of knowledge.Therefore,the wisdom and foresight of Whitehead's theory of knowledge,as well as its theoretical value and practical significance are worth exploring for the basic education curriculum reform in China.Whitehead's theory of knowledge gives some enlightenments for China's curriculum reformation:(1)To improve the understanding of the organic integrity of knowledge and to make the relevance exploration clear is the only theme of knowledge.(2)It is important to recognize the cooperativity and symbiosis of the subjectivity and objectivity of knowledge and to consolidate the foundation of subjective initiative in the acquisition of knowledge and the development of human beings,and to clarify the objective value and practical significance of knowledge.(3)More attention should be given to knowledge system and discipline logic.Researchers should neither introduce the over-abstract and sophisticated knowledge into education,nor ignore the great value of knowledge system.Instead,the knowledge system should be refined and systematized,and adventures of ideas should be advocated.In a word,the exploration to the theory of knowledge is fundamentally related to the sustainable and sound development of the basic education curriculum reform in China,and to the further realization of the goal of “all-round development of human beings”.Although Whitehead's theory of knowledge is not perfect,undoubtedly,many views and ideas will provide some references to deepen the reform of the basic education curriculum.And studies in this filed will surely bring some valuable inspirations to the development of educational theories and practices.