Brief Discussion On Cai Yuanpei's Aesthetic Education Thought

As one of the most influential educationalists in Modern China, one of Cai Yuanpei's achievements was mainly reflected in his Aesthetic Education Thought. Cai Yuanpei's theory has an obvious feature, that is, not stay in the thought stream to proceed completely subjective abstract speculations, but introduce the aesthetic education into external reality to perfect life and rebuild the society.This paper made detailed analysis in three aspects on Cai Yuanpei's Aesthetic Education Thought.First, the formation of Aesthetic Education Thought. On one hand, it has relations with the cultural education he received and his social and historical background; on the other hand, his theoretical system was derived from the traditional Confucianism and Modern western humanitarianism. His Aesthetic Education Thought was formed with the combination of the two aspects. Second, the connotation of Aesthetic Education Thought. It has an educational function to cultivate the pure motions of people and is an important part of his new educational system. Meanwhile, it possesses the contents that general education can not completely cover, which is mainly reflected in the three Aesthetic Education Thought concepts: Independence of Education, Replace Religion with Aesthetic Education and Remember Aesthetic Education during Cultural Activities.Third, the implementation of Aesthetic Education Theory. It can be discussed and analyzed from the three aspects of object, content and method of the implementation of Aesthetic Education, which can be reflected in the educational practices in Peking University. Cai Yuanpei thought that the objects of the implementation of Aesthetic Education were nationwide and lifelong; the contents of the implementation of Aesthetic Education focused on art education and the method of the implementation could be in the three aspects of family, school and society. His Aesthetic Education theory was finally relatively completely implemented in Peking University.Conclusion, put emphasis on the inspiration of Cai Yuanpei's Aesthetic Education Thought. The contribution of his thought spans the historical space time and placed great influence on China's education and Aesthetic Education, which needs to be carried forward at present. Due to the limitation of age, Cai Yuanpei's Aesthetic Education Thought and its implementation did not achieve its expected effect, but the wisdom and ideal charm of his thought will not be hidden by the time. To scan, understand and carry forward Cai Yuanpei's Aesthetic Education Thought has its great spiritual value to China's continuously developing education.Passing a history of a century, Cai Yuanpei's Aesthetic Education Thought will contribute great to the later generation and will keep its significance in the long river of history.