(Special Issue) The Discussion of Human Nature and Its Implications: The Integration of the Viewpoints of J. Bruner and Jia Fuming
Author: Po-Chuan Kao (Department of Family Studies and Child Development, Shih Chien University)
Vol.&No.：Vol. 71, No. 1
Date：March 2026
Pages：263-289
DOI：https://doi.org/10.6209/JORIES.202603_71(1).0009
Abstract：
Research Motivation and Purpose
What is so unique about human beings that can surpass other species and become the dominator of all things? There have been many discussions among sages throughout the ages. However, the sages’ discussions on human nature, depending on their concerns, have insightful opinions, but they all have their own biases, and logically, there may be some inferences from effects to causes, or there may be some imperfections.
Accordingly, this study uses the viewpoints of American psychologist J. Bruner and Taiwan scholar Jia Fuming on human nature to explore the theory of human nature. Bruner's research mainly focuses on human cognition and development, combined with educational practice, and has accumulated rich research results. Jia Fuming is based on Chinese philosophy, mastered the theories of Western psychology and devoted herself to education. Jia Fuming has devoted much attention to the study of human nature and has achieved outstanding results. Therefore, the study can make good use of the research findings of Bruner and Jia Fuming to play a complementary role in their perspectives, so that we can have a better understanding of human nature and grasp human nature more completely.
Literature Review
This study discusses the important findings on human nature by Bruner and Jia Fuming. During academic career, Bruner, based on his psychological research, combined with biology, anthropology, sociology, literature, law and other fields, made lasting and sustainable contributions to the health sciences related to human. There is optimism that these contributions will expand further, with Bruner’s aim of establishing a growth science for human development. Therefore, the study is based on his book “In search of pedagogy, Vol. I & II. The selected works of Jerome S. Bruner”. On the other hand, the study mainly used Jia Fuming’s “Human nature and education” and combined with other related works and other second-hand documents to fully grasp human nature.
Through analysis and interpretation, the views of Bruner and Jia Fuming on human nature are comprehensively integrated to gain a glimpse of the full extent of human nature.
Research Methods
This study adopts the method of hermeneutics. Hermeneutics is the inquiries of understanding and interpreting the meaning of texts. The core concept of hermeneutics is interpretation. After comprehensively grasping the essence of Bruner and Jia Fuming’s important works on the theory of human nature, this study combined with secondary literature and adopted the method of “hermeneutic circle” to truly grasp the ideas of Bruner and Jia Fuming on the theory of human nature. The method regards all his/her personal works as a whole and his/her main work as parts; at the same time, his main personal work as a whole and other papers as parts. The method is described as “a two-way back and forth between the whole and the parts”, conducting analysis and synthesis, and even interpretation and reflection. Through the two different historical “horoscopes” of the East and the West, a “tension” will inevitably arise, which will blend and create meaning, thereby obtaining a further “understanding”. This fusion of horizons may finally result in fruitful findings.
Research Results
Regarding the discussion of human nature, Chinese and Western philosophers have had many viewpoints since ancient times, saying that everyone is different and each has his or her own opinions. However, the views of human nature discussed by different schools of thought refer to different ideas, and the concepts may be confused or incomplete. Therefore, it is easy to breed doubts and misunderstandings, and it is difficult to clearly grasp its true meaning.
The research results pointed out that Jia Fuming clearly distinguished the different attributes of human nature, using an onion-like method of peeling off the layers, from the outside to the inside, to analyze, from the nature, basic emotions, desires and even the senses, dispelling the clouds and seeing the clear sky. To put it differently, unraveling the mystery of the human soul step by step may be the key to unlocking the ability of human beings to become the dominator of all things. Bruner's distinction between the concepts of sensation and perception emphasizes that the human mind not only responds to environmental stimuli, but also interprets them. Humans will also actively explore the world to verify their cognitive expectations. All of this will help us understand the sages’ propositions about human nature.
Furthermore, Bruner believes that human beings’ longer immature state enhances their teach ability. At the same time, they are influenced by the social culture created by human beings and enlighten their minds, thus developing complex thinking abilities and enhancing their adaptability.
Discussion and Recommendations
To sum up, Bruner and Jia Fuming’s arguments about human nature have their own characteristics. Through the analysis and integration of their viewpoints of human nature, it can be found that, first of all, human nature can be understood from nature, basic emotions, desires and functions. Especially regarding human functions, Bruner has accumulated many years of research on cognition, advocating that the human mind is an active, planning, capable of forming thoughts, and a thinking organ. It is further emphasized that thinking will have a “structure”, which is also called a “cognitive map” or a “mental representation”. Its development has stages, and the content of thinking can be regarded as a “mental model”. Therefore, school education should guide the construction of students’ mental models based on their mental representations to promote mental growth. Secondly, with the development of human society and culture, the cultural tools developed have a multiplicative effect on mental intelligence and can effectively promote the upgrading of thinking. This research findings highlight the key role that human faculties can play. Based on this, it is emphasized that human beings should make good use of their immature state, especially when combined with the design of the school system, which will be more effective. In this way, it can not only reduce human risks and desires, but also play a functional role and enhance human thinking ability. Finally, quoting the arguments of Bruner and Jia Fuming is helpful in identifying the sages’ views on human nature and helps us obtain a more complete picture of human nature.
Keywords：J. S. Bruner, human nature, view of human nature, Jia Fuming
《Full Text》
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【Wang, P., Hon, H.-L., & Tsai, S.-L. (1992). Interview record of Mr. Jia Fuming. Institute of Modern History, Academia Sinica.】
陳伊琳（2023）。「以友輔仁」新詮：羞恥在Aristotle友愛觀中的積極意義。教育科學研究期刊，68（1），137-165。https://doi.org/10.6209/JORIES.202303_68（1).0005
【Chen, Y.-L. (2023). New interpretation of fostering virtue through character friendship: Significance of shame in Aristotle’s idea of friendship. Journal of Research in Educational Sciences ,68(1), 137-165. https:// doi.org/10.6209/JORIES.202303_68（1).0005】
單文經、蔣美霞（2024）。綜述Bruner等人執行的兩項鷹架研究並探討其教學意涵。教育科學研究期刊，69（3），225-256。https://doi.org/10.6209/JORIES.202409_69(3).0008
【Shan, W.-J., & Jiang, M.-X. (2024). An overview of two studies on scaffolding in learning conducted by Bruner et al. and an exploration of their pedagogical implications. Journal of Research in Educational Sciences, 69(3), 225-256. https://doi.org/10.6209/JORIES.202409_69(3).0008】
賈馥茗（1989）。教育原理。三民。
【Jia, F.-M. (1989). Principles of education. San Min.】
賈馥茗（1998）。教育與人格發展。復文。
【Jia, F.-M. (1998). Education and personality development. Fu Wen.】
賈馥茗（2002）。教育的本質。五南。
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賈馥茗（2004）。教育倫理學。五南。
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