西方大学专业教育与自由教育理念的1000年分野

The Tension between Liberal and Professional Education in Western Universities during the Past Millennium

西方大学自创立起就伴随着专业教育与自由教育两种理念的分野。专业教育的特征是大学推崇专业化的学术性教育,以职业为目的,府学关系上表现为国家控制大学,以法国与德国的大学为主要代表;自由教育的内涵是大学实施博雅教育,以心智训练和德性培养为主要任务,政府与大学的关系是弱控制的松散关系,以英美国家大学为代表。西方大学理念虽种类纷繁,但是这两种理念却一直贯穿整个西方大学的发展历程,1000年此消彼长、互相竞争,成就了西方高等教育的繁荣并最终在20世纪中叶达成和解,走向通识教育的共同认识。然而历史与文化的惯性却使得西方高等教育界在认识与实践层面再一次呈现分化的局面。

Since very early times,there has existed a constant tension between liberal and professional education in Western universities.Professional education is characterized by specialized occupation-oriented curriculum and strict government control.Universities in Germany and France are typical examples of schools providing this kind of education.On the contrary,the essence of liberal education is the cultivation of intellect and virtue as well as relaxed government control.Universities in the UK and US are typical examples here.It was not until 1950s that the tension between liberal and professional education was finally resolved and replaced by a consensus on the importance of general education in the Western countries.However,historical and cultural inertia is still preventing Western universities from practicing what they preach.