| This paper analyzes and studies the formation of aesthetic education theory,content,theme,theoretical characteristics,etc.put forward by Cai Yuanpei,a thinker and educator who introduced aesthetic education theory into China,integrated Chinese and Western cultural thoughts,and founded aesthetic education theory with national and contemporary characteristics,after having in-depth reading of his aesthetic education works under the background in which China is vigorously promoting quality education and advocating aesthetic education.The paper also studies Cai Yuanpei’s practical application of aesthetic education and women’s education,from which he found its historical value and practical significance.The purpose of this study is to try to find a solution to personality crisis and predicament existing in contemporary female college students and a way to reshape their personality,and to provide reference suggestions and strategies for cultivating female college students with aesthetic personality in the new era.The paper includes five chapters.Chapter I Origin and Spiritual Essence of Cai Yuanpei’s Aesthetic Education Thought: This chapter studies and expounds the origin of Cai Yuanpei’s aesthetic education thought from aspects of learning from Chinese and Western cultures and his democratic revolutionary position.Just like the study of any historical figure,we should pay attention to environment of Cai Yuanpei’s life and his education.The paper also goes back to the late Qing Dynasty and the early Republic of China when Cai Yuanpei studied and grew up,focusing on his reading and learning before middle age,in order to find intrinsic elements that promoted the formation of his aesthetic education thought.These elements had three parts.The first element is the solid soil for the formation of his aesthetic education thought.The second is the seeds planted in this soil.The third element is the natural conditions that promote seeds to take root and germinate in the soil.The three are interrelated,interact as both cause and effect,and are inseparable.It is just this background and cause of the high integration of commonness and individuality that made Cai Yuanpei’s aesthetic education thought embody the spiritual essence and typical characteristics rich in national and contemporary characteristics: that is,he tried to awaken the numb and rigid hearts of Chinese people with the thought of paying equal attention to “Science and Art” and ignite their enthusiasm for defending the country and strengthening the country.It is just to help 450 million people,including all women,get rid of personality predicament and reshape the complete personality of self-esteem,self-improvement and self-reliance.It is just to emancipate the mind and free the spirit,and never become a slave to the illusory and retrogressive religious principles.Chapter II Content System and Value of Cai Yuanpei’s Aesthetic Education Thought: This chapter discusses Cai Yuanpei’s aesthetic education thought from four aspects: content,implementation path,historical contribution and limitation of the times.As for the content and theme of Cai Yuanpei’s aesthetic education thought,the paper discusses the relationship between aesthetic education and aesthetics,and the purpose of aesthetic education.Aesthetic education is closely related to beauty and aesthetics.Only on the basis of in-depth understanding of the essence and characteristics of beauty and aesthetics can aesthetic education theory be deepened and perfected,and it is possible to implement and enforce it in practice.The value of aesthetic education theory lies not only in its completeness and profundity,but also in its strong applicability and practicality.On the basis of constantly expounding and perfecting his aesthetic education theory.Cai Yuanpei put forward three ways to implement aesthetic education: family,school and society,and pointed out the operability,universality and persistence of aesthetic education.The value and contribution of Cai Yuanpei’s aesthetic education theory is closely related to the content and theme of his aesthetic education theory.Its historical value and contribution are manifested in his creation of aesthetic education in terms of theoretical achievements and time,and in his creation of new ideas and methods for moral education that China has always advocated and attached importance to.In addition,he emphasized the parallel of rationality and sensibility,paid equal attention to science and art,and put forward a new idea of transforming traditional education.Although his viewpoint of “Replacing Religion with Aesthetic Education” has aroused many doubts and criticisms,it has helped the society and the public realize that foreign religion and Confucianism are spiritual shackles that cannot save the national movement and people’s livelihood,and cannot be carried out absolutely.Of course,Cai Yuanpei’s life era,educational foundation and democratic revolution position,including his personal character and life experience,all determine that his theory and understanding are not impeccable.Like many great men in history,the limitations of his thoughts and theories given by the times are also very obvious.This chapter reflects and examines his aesthetic education theory from three aspects: social value,logical relationship and practical process.Chapter III Application of Cai Yuanpei’s aesthetic education theory in the construction of female personality.The practical purpose of this chapter is to take care of the personality construction of contemporary Chinese female college students.However,Cai Yuanpei’s aesthetic education view is completely consistent with his ideological basis and purpose of women’s liberation,women’s education and women’s personality construction theory.This chapter analyzes Cai Yuanpei’s view of women,the life practice of the view of women,the theory of personality construction,and the social value and influence.Cai Yuanpei,as an active advocate and promoter of women’s education,coeducation and equality between men and women during the democratic revolution,tried his best to relieve the pressure from all sides,created the latest chapter of coeducation in modern Chinese history,and laid a strong foundation for the opening and development of modern education in China.It is just because of this foundation that women can enter the society as masters,enjoy equal status and rights with men,show their abilities and talents,and in addition help women get rid of the slavery and poison of feudal thoughts for thousands of years,and rebuild their complete personality of independence,self-esteem and self-improvement.Chapter IV Personality Status and Analysis of Contemporary Female College Students from the Perspective of Cai Yuanpei’s Aesthetic Education Thought: Female college students are active on the stage of contemporary Chinese history with ideals,culture,education and vitality.They are the hope of the nation and the future of the motherland.However,it is undeniable that lots of problems have appeared in their personality in the complex environment of social development and market economy,because of induction and interference of various factors.This chapter focuses on the contradictions existing in contemporary female college students’ personality,and analyzes the causes of this situation from two aspects: social general existence and educational obstacles.From the point of view of contemporary higher education,rationalization,patterning and utilitarianism education are the important reasons for personality crisis of contemporary female college students.This kind of educational thought and method has always been opposed and criticized by Cai Yuanpei many times.He believes that the answer is aesthetic education.Back to his vision,we will surely find corresponding solutions and methods for our analysis and discussion of contemporary female college students’ personality problems.Chapter V Construction of Aesthetic Personality Is the Choice of the Times to Cultivate Contemporary Qualified Female College Students.Through perspective of Cai Yuanpei’s aesthetic education and personality construction,the paper puts forward proposition of constructing aesthetic personality of contemporary female college students after dissecting all kinds of contradictions and antagonisms in the living conditions of contemporary female college students and their causes.This is a feasible and intelligent choice to solve personality crisis and educational predicament of contemporary female college students.As to this problem,the paper firstly conducts theoretical analysis in two aspects,characteristics of aesthetic personality,the role of aesthetic activities for the construction of aesthetic personality,and then make observations according to social and psychological advantages that contemporary female college students have for characteristics of aesthetic personality,and put forward construction of contemporary female college students aesthetic personality education strategy on this basis.Specific content of this strategy lies in coordinating physical and mental balance and harmony of female college students,protecting the development and publicity of female college students’ personality,guiding female college students to restrain material desires,pursue nobility and enhance their wisdom and creative spirit.These viewpoints are evidently the absorption,application and development of Cai Yuanpei’s aesthetic education and personality cultivation theory. |
