Research On Humboldtian "Full Man Thoughts" And Higher Education Practice Under Wilhelm Von Humboldt’s State Perspective

Wilhelm von Humboldt is a distinguished political activist and educational reformer. As a political activist, Humboldt’s contribution not only lies in his remarkable political career, but also lies in his unique thoughts and research of state theory. As an educational reformer, Humboldt contributed enormously to the establishment of the University of Berlin and they whole education system of modern Germany. Great achievements in both politics and education predict that there is deep and profound relationship between his state theory and educational thoughts.This paper falls into following parts. The first part introduces Humboldt’s educational life and academic research experience, which include Humboldt’s family background and home education, the early social contact and activities in Berlin during his college life, the marriage between Humboldt and Caroline and the support Humboldt received from Caroline, the contact between Humboldt and Classical Composers and the academic support Humboldt received from them, the practice and its effects of Humboldt during the reform period of modern Germany, especially the establishment of Berlin University. Last but not least, this part introduces the research experience and achievement of Humboldt during his old ages, when he retired from government agencies.The second part analyses the main spirits and purposes of Humboldt’s state theory, Humboldt’s understanding of "full man", as well as the requirements to be a "full man". Humboldt’s state theory focuses on people, and so does his "full man" educational thoughts, this predicts further relationship between his state theory and the whole man education thoughts. As far as Humboldt is concerned, state is only a method or mean for the ultimate purpose of people, and the ultimate purpose for people is to develop or grow up as a "full man". So, the so called "good State" should meet the only requirement for its people to develop and grow up towards the target of "full man". In Humboldt’s point of view, these "good States" should remain the minimum appearance of its agencies, maximize individual freedom and civil liberty.The third part of this paper includes a profound understanding of the main spirits of Humboldt’s religious thoughts, legal thoughts, as well as social custom ideas. All of the fields mentioned above should serve the ultimate purpose of people to develop towards "full man", State should not put its power to the use of religion and social custom, for both religion and social custom status is a natural selection process for individuals. Instead, State should maximize individual freedom and civil liberty by legal means, for freedom and civil liberty is a basic and pivotal need for people to develop.The fourth part attempts to present a full image of Humboldt’s higher education reform. During his short term service in the Education Ministry of modern Germany, Humboldt contributed enormously to the establishment of Berlin University. The establishment of Berlin University signals a milestone of modern higher education, is a groundbreaking masterpiece reflects both Humboldt’s state theory and "full man" educational thoughts.Last but not least, based on the research above and obtained outcomes, with a comprehensive understanding of the prospect of current higher education development in China, this paper attempts to present some recommendations and advice for the undergoing reform and development of higher education in China in a feasible and constructive way.The main conclusions of this paper include: people should understand that academic liberalism and autonomy based on certain ideological atmosphere and institutional support; Higher Education Institutions(HEIs) should abide by its nature and character, focus on human’s freedom and development; government and the general public should understand the nature and characters of HEIs, encourage HEIs to promote distinctive services of talent cultivation, scientific research and community commitment; the purpose of academic liberalism and autonomy lies ultimately in human’s freedom and development, not any external interests.