On Whitehead’s Philosophy Thoughts Of Higher Education

At present, the domestic researches about Whitehead mostly focus on the two aspects of philosophy and philosophy of education, and the researches on his philosophy thoughts of Higher Education are rare. Therefore, this paper will discuss the Whitehead’s philosophy thoughts of Higher Education from a new perspective, in order to provide more opinions and understandings for philosophy and theory research of Higher Education.This paper mainly is based on the book "The Aims of Education and Other Essays ", published in1929, which collected "the Aims of Education" in1916and five articles related education speech drafts. The contents involve many aspects of theory and practice, especially the section10of the second part-education rhythm and the sixth part. In addition,"Science and the Modern World "and "Modes of thought" also discuss some views of the university education. So these constitute the original basis and main source for the author to discuss Whitehead’s philosophy thoughts of Higher Education. The specific contents of this article include:Firstly, the produce and formation of Whitehead’s philosophy thoughts of Higher Education. It includes Whitehead’s living environment and practice activities by the historical method. Secondly, the foundation of Whitehead’s philosophy thoughts of Higher Education. The thoughts of a certain period always are influenced by the previous people and theory. The author thinks that the Whitehead’s philosophy thoughts of Higher Education mainly come from their particular process philosophy and liberal education. Thirdly, the core ideas of Whitehead’s philosophy thoughts of Higher Education. It includes four parts as follows:the ontology of Higher Education; the value theory of Higher Education; the activities and the character theory of Higher Education. Fourthly, the characteristics of Whitehead’s philosophy thoughts of Higher Education. The author makes the conclusion by the content of Whitehead’s philosophy thoughts of Higher Education, which is praising contact, encouraging innovation and claiming freedom. Fifthly, the historical influence and shortage of Whitehead’s philosophy thoughts of Higher Education. We need to evaluate the thought dialectically. Whitehead’s philosophy thoughts of Higher Education have a positive effect on the capitalist production, society and education. But they also have some idealism with theology, the middle of the socialist dilemma, more idealistic view. Sixthly, the author explores the contemporary value of Whitehead’s philosophy thoughts of Higher Education, including the theory and practice aspects so as to promote the reform and development of Higher Education.