教育的自由及其限度——托克维尔教育思想与现代检视

Educational Liberty and Its limitation:A Review of The Thought of Educational Liberty of Tocqueville

托克维尔因其闻名遐迩的政治学论著为世人熟知,而有关他的教育论说却被人们忽视。实际上托克维尔对国民教育颇有见解,这需要关注与发掘。基于其笔记、通信和著作以及他人对其评论的文献,再联系其所处的政治环境的变化,较为全面地梳理其基本教育思想。研究发现,托克维尔对整齐划一的教育体系有异议,认为教育被垄断是值得存疑的,自由的教育必须反对单调划一,应在多元化基础上实现竞争,这样不但可以提高教育水平,而且能给教育者及其父母提供更多自由选择的机会。他主张自由的国民教育必须置于国家监督之下、信仰和道德规制之中。联系到现代社会,在批判的基础上运用托克维尔的灼见有助于人们对国民教育的理解和问题的纾解。

Tocqueville is known for his work on political science, but his work on education is not drawn enough attention. In fact, Tocqueville has some opinions on national education, which needs attention and exploration. Based on his notes, correspondence and works, as well as other people’s comments on his literature, and in connection with the changes of his political environment, the basic educational thoughts are sorted out comprehensively. The study found that Tocqueville has objections to a uniform educational system. He believes that it is doubtable that education should be monopolized. Educational liberty must oppose monotony and uniformity and achieve competition on the basis of diversity. This can not only improve the level of education, but also provide more options for students and their parents. He advocated that liberal national education should be under the supervision of the state, and be regulated by faith and morality. Connected with the modern society, the application of Tocqueville’s insights on the basis of criticism can help people to understand national education and alleviate problems.