On The Impact Of Pragmatism On Chinese Contemporary University Students' Value

Pragmatism is an important western philosophical sect school born in America. Essentially, it is an idealist philosophy. Pragmatism holds the idea of basing on reality, with clear purpose and seeking for actual effect. Also, it is characterized as individuality, relativity and utility.The impact of pragmatism on university students' value has a long history, running through most time of reforming and opening-door period with three climaxes. This time is the third one. Compared with the former two, the impact of pragmatism on students is characterized by its generality and superficiality. In detail, they pay more attention to reality than ideal. They gain knowledge actively but very utilitarian at the same time. Their interrelationship is harmonious but too worldly somehow. Their spare-time is colorful, but personal value is more highly valued than collective honor. As for hunting job, they would attain their ends by hook or by crook. Objectively speaking, the impact of pragmatism on university students has both advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, positive and active effect co-exists. One should not lump under one head when speaking of the impact.There are deep external causes and internal causes for the forming of the third climax. Firstly, under micro social circumstance, accompanied by the coming of globalization and information age, western culture plays an exemplary role. Knowledge is seen as an instrument in the upcoming knowledge economy age. Also, our country is trying to build market-economy, the spirit of which is connected with pragmatism, and this makes pragmatic value more acceptable by the public. Secondly, speaking from university itself, the reforming of higher education has great effect on students' interest. Popularization of higher education bring about paying for education and hunting job by students themselves, the result of which makes students facing heavier economic, learning and employment stress. At the same time, industrialization of higher education leads to the utilization of it, which causes the loss of idealism on campus. Thirdly, speaking from students themselves, due to their physical and psychological traits, the unsteadiness of their view of value provides the possibility for accepting the popular pragmatic ideas.Therefore, based on the analysis of theory, present situation and reasons mentioned. The purpose of this dissertation is trying to provide some guidance in forming the right value among university students. It mainly sets out from two aspects, one is to strengthen the function of ideological and political education, the other is to give a play to campus culture, the hidden nature of which may exert a gradual, uplifting influence on students, and combines these two organically. As to the former aspect, under the leadership of Marxist ideal and faith, advocating the value guidance which concentrates on the idea of serving for the people and collective principle. Under the new situation, ideas such as Marxist revolutionary utilitarian arenot out of date. On the country, they must be emphasized more. As to the later aspect, it has a gradual and long-term influence on students. Thus to cultivate idealism on campus is very important. To combining the educational aspect and the influential aspect organically and to carry it throughout the university years of student, we may reach the best result.