Dewey and Tao Xingzhi’s Educational Philosophy and Contemporary Interpretation

Abstract

Tao Xingzhi was a student of American educator John Dewey. He generally absorbed Dewey’s educational philosophy in educational theory and practice, and carried out reforms and innovations based on the actual situation in China. Thus he formed his own peculiar “life education” theory. There are fundamental differences between Tao Xingzhi and Dewey in educational philosophy. Tao Xingzhi’s educational thought is based on real life and realistic materialistic educational view; Dewey’s educational thought is an idealistic educational thought based on personal life and subjective experience. The comparison of Tao Xingzhi’s and Dewey’s educational concepts has important practical significance for whether Tao Xingzhi’s educational concept can be accurately evaluated and used for reference in practice. The international education competition in the 21st century is not only the competition of economic forces, but also the competition of social productive forces. Essentially, it’s a technological power race. However, the key to rapidly transforming technology into productivity is universal access to education.