Study On Cai Yuanpei’s Healthy Personality Thought

Currently,China is in a new era of socialism with Chinese characteristics,and the youth are the backbone and driving force of national rejuvenation.Therefore,the cultivation of youth personality is not only crucial for their own healthy development but also for the future of the nation and the destiny of the Chinese people.In the context of the new era,accompanied by profound changes in the economic and social structure,the cultivation of youth personality faces unprecedented challenges,such as the lack of a sense of responsibility,confusion in values,and moral personality alienation.Cai Yuanpei was the first educator in Chinese history to systematically propose the cultivation of a sound personality.The concept of a "sound personality," as the core essence of Cai Yuanpei’s educational philosophy,plays a significant role in cultivating young talents and improving the moral quality of the nation.Against the backdrop of the era’s struggle for survival,Cai Yuanpei turned his attention to the youth,who were the most vibrant and receptive to new ideas and things.He regarded the cultivation of "sound personalities" in the "youth of the nation" as China’s foremost urgent task.Cai Yuanpei believes that a "sound personality" is what a person should possess to become truly human,and it represents an ideal state where "individuality and collectivity develops together." It contains two dimensions,"individuality" and "collectivity," with the standard being the "coordinated development of individuality and collectivity." The development of "individuality" encompasses comprehensive development in physical,intellectual,moral,aesthetic,and labor aspects.It pursues the organic unity of intellect,intention,and emotion,with the measurement standard being the harmonious development of the body and mind,achieving the individual’s self-harmony.On the other hand,the development of "collectivity" refers to the cultivation of a sense of responsibility.Cai Yuanpei points out that the development of personality must correspond to social development,with the dedication to responsibilities being the essence.Without the existence of society,nation,and the universe,the concept of personality is meaningless.Cai Yuanpei advocates nurturing a "sense of responsibility" to develop the "collectivity" and achieve harmony between individuals and society,nation,and the universe.Individuality and collectivity are interrelated,interpenetrating,and integrated.Therefore,a sound personality promotes the coordinated development of individuality and collectivity,striving for balanced development.Unlike Marx’s proposition of transforming social relations and liberating all humanity to achieve free and comprehensive development,Cai Yuanpei advocates transforming national character through educational innovation.After examining the similarities and differences between ancient and modern Chinese and foreign educational systems,Cai Yuanpei deeply reflected on and ruthlessly criticized the shortcomings of the "old education" in China,which focused excessively on cultivating scholars and officials through examination-oriented education,neglecting scientific disciplines and adopting a rigid and single method that harmed children’s natural disposition.Cai Yuanpei proposed that the cultivation of a sound personality in youth should be guided by the "vitality of patriotism," "noble ideals," "active morality," and the "seeds of cosmopolitanism" as spiritual guidance.It involves widely recruiting educators who possess "accumulated knowledge,enthusiasm,and high moral character" and using "the overall development of the learners’ capabilities" as the standard.Cai Yuanpei emphasizes considering the learners’ nature,selecting suitable methods to assist them,and rectifying the decadent study atmosphere to pursue the purpose of upright learning.It can be said that Cai Yuanpei’s advocacy of a sound personality has established a unique model of character for the Chinese nation and constructed a personal view with "Chinese characteristics," emphasizing the cultivation of national youth through a personality view that aligns with Chinese cultural values.Conducting research on Cai Yuanpei’s concept of cultivating a sound personality aims at provide a more relevant interpretation,argumentation,and framework that aligns with the characteristics of the times.It seeks to integrate the essence of his ideas into the process of cultivating youth personality in the new era.Based on the needs of youth personality development in the new era,efforts should be made to build a teacher team dedicated to cultivating youth personality,achieve innovative development in youth personality cultivation methods,imbue youth personality education with new connotations of the times,improves practical paths for youth personality in the new era,and provide beneficial references for cultivating youth personality in the new era.