A Defense for the "Conservatism" in Educational Reform—A Case Study in the History of China's Modern Educational Thoughts

A reflection,in the perspective of the history of China's modern educational thoughts,on the conservatism in educational reform is of positive value and practical significance.Thus,the following questions need to be inspected further.What is really against in the so-called China's contemporaryanti- traditionaleducational research? What is the tradition ofConservatismin current China? In what way should theConservatismbe defended? Some consensus would be achieved if the controversy of Conserva- tism and Radicalism in educational reform is viewed in the light of meta-theory,the positive-negative dual- ism,the concept thatthe conservativearenational essenceand the improperly simplified idea ofunity of history and logicwould be criticized and corrected.The significance of Conservatism in China's educa- tional reform should not be neglected.Conservatism showed that progressive reform in education is normal while radical evolution abnormal;it is helpful to keep balance between conservatism and radicalism;and it can facilitate the establishment of new schools of education.