Cai Yuanpei and Academic Freedom Principles | Generated by AI
Question: Who advocated “academic freedom” and “inclusive tolerance” in education? A. Cai Yuanpei B. Hu Shi C. Tao Xingzhi D. Liang Qichao
Answer:
The correct answer is A. Cai Yuanpei.
Cai Yuanpei (蔡元培), as the president of Peking University (Beijing University) starting in 1917, famously advocated the principles of “thought freedom” (思想自由) and “compatibility and inclusiveness” (兼容并包) — often translated as “academic freedom” and “inclusive tolerance” — in university education. He implemented these ideas to reform Peking University, transforming it into a center for diverse academic thoughts, free discussion, and the New Culture Movement.
- He emphasized that universities should be institutions for advanced scholarship research, following the principle of thought freedom and adopting an inclusive approach to all schools of thought, as long as they were logically sound and well-supported.
- This policy allowed scholars from opposing ideological camps (e.g., conservatives like Gu Hongming and progressives like Chen Duxiu, Hu Shi, and Li Dazhao) to coexist and debate freely.
- His famous statement appears in the foreword to the Peking University Monthly (《北京大学月刊发刊词》), where he described the university as a place to “encompass great classics and gather various schools” (囊括大典，网罗众家), and explicitly promoted “following the principle of thought freedom, adopting the doctrine of compatibility and inclusiveness” (循思想自由原则，采兼容并包主义).
In contrast:
- Hu Shi (B) was a key figure in the New Culture Movement, promoted pragmatism and literary reform, and worked under Cai Yuanpei at Peking University, but he did not originate these specific educational principles.
- Tao Xingzhi (C) focused on popular education, rural education reform, and “life education” theories, influenced by John Dewey, but not primarily known for advocating academic freedom and inclusive tolerance in higher education.
- Liang Qichao (D) was an influential reformer, journalist, and thinker during the late Qing and early Republic, promoting new ideas and constitutionalism, but he did not serve as a university president or coin these particular slogans for educational freedom.
Thus, Cai Yuanpei is widely recognized as the key advocate and practitioner of these ideas in modern Chinese education history.
References:
- 蔡元培：学术须自由，教育须独立 - 知乎
- 思想自由，兼容并包 - 知乎
- 北大青年研究 – 北京大学
- 【北大大师】蔡元培：学术自由、兼容并包 - 北京大学校友网
- New Culture Movement - Wikipedia