On Fichte's Thought Of Civic Education In Nationalism

Johann Gottlieb Fichte(1762-1814) was the greatest philosopher and the most outstanding educator during the late eighteenth and early nineteenth century in Germany. He has made great contributions to the studies of the classical philosophy. Therefore, the researches on Fichte of those scholars are always concentrated on his philosophical achievements. In fact, Fichte has also made significant contributions to the development of the educational ideology. His thought of civic education in nationalism had a profound influence in the pedagogical history of both the Germany and the whole world. However, people are always ignorant of his educational ideology system and the studies on this field are limited. The author here trying to give a more concrete description in her thesis about the educational thoughts of Fichte.The formation of his thought of civic education in nationalism is greatly influenced by its historical background. When the feudal Deutschland was separated by several political forces and whose sluggish economy was worsened by its domestic troubles and foreign invasions. Under this circumstance, Fichte came up with his educational thoughts on the basis of nationalism. Fichte wants to realize the national independence and rejuvenation through his reformation on the old educational system. Fichte's thought of civic education in nationalism are mainly described from the three perspectives of the purpose of education, the essence of education and the process of education. At first, for the seek of the independence and the prosperity of his nation, Fichte indicated that the cultivated new citizens should be ones who beard patriotic and rationalistic minds. He deemed this theory should be served as the ground foundation for building a rational nation. Secondly, Fichte presented that the major purpose of the education is to cultivate their morality and patriotism of those citizen. He thought it was the social demoralization that caused the people's unfortunate living conditions and the national oppression. Fichte wanted to arise the awareness of the nationalism among the Germans by educating them with his thoughts. Besides,influenced by the theories of Swiss educator named Heinrich Pestalozzi, Fichte proposed that the citizens can be nurtured with patriotic feelings towards their countries through his affectional education of love. He spoke highly of the influences that the educations had on the nationality and he thought it was the only way to reform the their society. With his new educational thoughts, Fichte wishes to save his nation and regain the independence of his country.Fichte's thought of civic education in nationalism has produced profound social significance and historical connotations. His educational thoughts also had great impacts on the rejuvenation of the Germany, the formation of the German spirits and the development of the civic education. “By others' faults, wise men correct their own”. Fichte's thought of civic education in nationalism supplies amounts of suggestions and implications for the construction of spiritual civilization and its establishment of educational system in our country.