The Research On The Educational Thought Of Irving Babbitt's New Humanism

Irving Babbitt(1865-1933),Professor of Comparative Literature Department of Harvard University,known as an educator and cultural critics. Babbitt led the humanist movement which lasted for 20 years, though not long, but related to history,literature, politics, education,ethics and other fields. His unique thoughts about education are scattering in his masterpiece, in the angle of modern Perspective, are a mirror to our practices like curriculum-select system,credit system,degree system and higher education modernization. In addition, Babbitt combined Western civilization with ancient Buddhism and Chinese Confucianism which he had a considerable research,out of this,having this research is beneficial to cognize a different thinking pattern and deepen China's national culture.This thesis views Babbitt's New Humanism from the angle of education which is new in this field. Some innovations points were done on the basis of analysis and combing of the documents. This paper is divided into six chapters:Chapter I is a summary of the causes, backgrounds and significances, it is a macro-illustration of the research ways and contents. Chapter II focuses on Babbitt's life, educational background and analyzing Babbitt's family culture, personal school experiences and his character, which revealed why Babbitt's new humanism produced. Chapterâ…¢was retrospective about Babbitt's New Humanism,which can date back to Aristotle in ancient Greece and Matthew Arnold in modern times.This thesis does a exploration about the exchange and the inner-connection of these giant ideas.Meanwhile, a systematic summary and illustration on Babbitt's New Humanism Education were concluded in this back chapter, including"inner check""moral education"and"teacher's role"in the view of new humanism education.Chapterâ…£did a research on how the new New Humanism Education affects the education activities in China and abroad.It chooses Charles Eliot, the president of Harvard, and professor Wu Mi, one talented student of Babbit as the research objects. From the angle of Charles Eliot, we can comprehend his thinking in the"enemy's eyes", and from Wu Mi, we can get a understanding on how a new-born educational thinking related with New Humanism produced.At the end of this thesis, the author gives a brief describtion on Babbit's educational idea and try to provide some suggestions to the Chinese edcaitonal reform by presenting the practial functions of New Humanism's educational thinking.Babbitt has criticized Scientism:"I can see your moving, but never see you stop to reflect on." I believe this saying can also be used to guide our education practice. Our country has implemented many times reforms, but the results are far to our original aims, perhaps we should stop to reflect on and to listen to the voices of Irving? Babbitt.