科学教育视域中功利主义与理想主义的科学观

Utilitarianism and Idealism in the Field of Science Education

理解科学是当代科学传播、科学教育的重要目标之一。重效用的功利传统与重求知的理性传统是科学研究活动也是科学教育活动中的两种不同旨趣。理性传统源于希腊哲学家对知识本身的追求，它以求真为第一要义；而新兴的功利传统则发轫于文艺复兴时期，它突现了科学价值的一个崭新的维度--力量、效用。作为科学观的功利主义与理想主义都有其存在的正当性，发展科学教育事业需在功利主义与理想主义之间保持必要的张力。而在功利主义盛行的今天，多倡导一些[只问是非，不计利害]的理想主义是绝对必要的。

Understanding science is one of the most important goals of science education. There are two different approaches to scientific activities：one is the rational tradition of emphasizing knowledge， and the other is the utilitarian tradition of emphasizing effectiveness. Rationalism is originated from the Greek academic tradition to seek truth， while utilitarianism can be traced back to the Age of the Renaissance. As two scientific approaches， both utilitarianism and idealism have their legitimacy of existence， as well as their limitations. In order to develop science education， disseminate scientific ideas and carry forward scientific spirit， it is necessary to maintain certain degree of tension between utilitarianism and idealism.