The major purpose of the article is to make clear Dewey`s concept of educative experience. The concept is fundamental in elucidating his philosophy of education; however, it is very difficult to find the serious of the concept with reference to his wh...
The major purpose of the article is to make clear Dewey`s concept of educative experience. The concept is fundamental in elucidating his philosophy of education; however, it is very difficult to find the serious of the concept with reference to his whole philosopohy. I attempted to derive the ideal type of educative experience from his conception of an experience, which is formed on the basis of artistic experience. When it comes to the basic stucture of the educative experience, firstly, the experience consists of three rhythmic developmental stages: primary, reflective, and consummatory stage. Primmary and consummatory stage of experience are wholly dominated by qualitative mode of experience. The educative experience commences with primary qualititative stage of experience, passes through reflective stage of experience, and come to an completion with consummatory qualitative phase of experience. Reflective stage of experience is not independent but part of the whole educative experience, and is only an intermediate stage to lead the ongoing experience to the consummation. Secondly, the educative experience is marked by the integration of doing (artistic), knowing, appreciating (aesthetic). There is no devision between reason and emotion, and theory and practice. Any experience, which is an experience, is performed by an integrated mode of experience including practical, intellectual, aesthetic, religious modes. The intellectual mode is only a part of the integrated mode. Finally, knowing, knowldge or science, is achieved by the reflective stage and largely by the intellectual mode. It is not indepedent but intermediate in light of the structure of the ideal type of experience. The final stage of the educative experience is characterized by the appreciation and enjoyment of intrinsic value. Knowledge is essential to the generation of the successful completion of an experience. But, it is not the appreciation and enyoyment by itself; it is only an instrument and means to lead an experience to the consummatory stage, in which intrinsic value is deeply, appreciated and enjoyed.