“形而上学”的憧憬或拒斥：赫钦斯与杜威论争之实质

The Vision or Rejection of Metaphysics: The 犈^sence of the Debate between Hutchins and Dewey

Based on the classical metaphysics and its theory of truth， Hutchins criticized the chaotic state of American higher education of the time， namely， professionalism， isolationism and anti-rationalism .Dewey agreed with the plan of education proposed by Hutchins aiming at changing the status quo of education， but he didn’t agree with the theoretical basis for the implementation of that plan， namely， a theory about the relationship between knowledge and reality with metaphysical tendency . Influenced by the industrial revolution and modern science， Dewey believed that reality was originally shaped by practice and developed with the deepening of experience. Human can change reality through effort and change truth and life at the same time. Human who have the awareness and ability can be considered as intelligent free man. What education has to do is to cultivate human based on the new theory of the liberty and wisdom. Dewey and Hutchins have distinct differences on many questions， such as starting from the reality or principles ；theory and classic works being regarded as dogma or tools. All those differences led to a wel— known debate in academic history.