This study purported to reveal the theoretical rationale for the Jaspers’ theory of character education, analyze its structure, and reinterpret its meaning in the current situation.
In order to achieve this purpose, at first, the meaning of the Existenz that Jaspers claimed as the background of his character education was investigated. According to him, the Existenz is the authentic being who can awaken real truth through theoretical deliberation, realize its humanity beyond the Dasein, understand one as a free being, and make an existential decision.
Based on these discussions, the structure of Jaspers’ theory of character education was examined in this study. Character refers that the self realized a real truth in the pursuit of intellectual excellence. Character education can be described as helping to form this character. Education worthy of the name is essentially education of character. From this point of view, the most important thing in character education would be the acquisition of intellectual excellence through learning.
The aim of the Jaspers’ character education is to make an independent human being by one’s own pursuit of the intellectual excellence. In other words, the person will continuously analyze, and interpret its own thoughts, and become an independent human being that can create new knowledge based on that. He believes that a good education is one that emphasizes individuality. It attempts to assist each of us in seeing ourselves with our fears, frustrations, and hopes, as well as the ways in which we use reason for good and ill. The first step in education is to understand ourselves.
The pursuit of knowledge for its own sake as the content of character education is the means for realizing the character. Through the humanities, Jaspers has tries to awaken modern individuals to the dangers of being swallowed up by the megalopolis and a runaway technology. Human beings should have a humanity by learning great ideas or cultivate the ability to think critically. Liberal education aim to help people acquire, through learning, mental qualities which are considered to be worthwhile. Human beings should have abilities to think how to live a good life. They can acquire intellectual excellence as learning various fields of knowledge.
Generally speaking, Jaspers’ theory of character education is the educational theory to raise the true human beings. This study was examined what it means today’s education, based on the structure analysis of Jaspers’ theory of character education. Therefore this study was examined about the education for independent decision, self-education, the value of liberal education, and educational relationship.
Searching for the meaning to us, the following topics were discussed. First, in order for a person to live well in a pluralistic democratic society, it is important to foster his or her abilities to evaluate their own decisions and practices. Second, self-education is essential in the successful character education. Third, the theory of character education, based on the liberal education, should be reconsidered today. Finally, the subjective character education is available within the educational relationship between teacher and student.
Considering the fact that dehumanization is prevalent in our society, Jaspers’ theory of character education should be reconsidered to cure current educational problems. Because the education which raises the true human being is more important than the education for success. According to Jaspers, intellectual excellence is one of the necessaries to live a good life. He argued that human beings can lead a human life through self-reflection.
If education is regarded simply as a means of preparing the higher ranked school and job, it would be futile to form a true human beings. However, in order to live a well life in a changing society, it should be discussed in depth that how education should be. According to Jaspers, in the rapidly changing society, achieving intellectual excellence is essential to become a human being to think independently and to make a cautious decision.
To be short, Jaspers’ theory of character education can be the starting point for healing immoral phenomenon, improving the relationship that has problems educationally, and raising a human being that think independently and decide wisely today.