Page 79 - 《社会》2026年第1期

社会·2026·1

the Laboratory Sc hool. In the field of education，social control refers to teachers
guiding students to immerse themselves in the “situations” presented by the
curriculum through the implementation of curriculum plans and the use of teaching
materials，so that students can perceive the guidance and control of social forces in
terms of their behaviors，ideas and emotions. Applying an analytical framework that
examines the interaction between “action” and “environment” further illuminates
the theoretical implications of social control. On the one hand，Dewey engaged with
Rousseau’s theory of natural education，arguing that individual actions are
inevitably controlled by the social environment，and the traditions of civilization hold
indelible educational significance. On the other hand，he opposed Durkheimian
social education，maintaining that social control that truly fulfills its educational
function cannot be separated from individuals’ internal responses，and arguing that
activating individuals’ behavioral states through the “stimulus鄄response” mechanism
constitutes a more important educational end. Overall，Dewey sought to use the
concept of social control to describe a state of life where individuals wholeheartedly
“act” in an “environment” with inherent meaning，and on this basis，to
reconceptualize the relationship between individual freedom and civilizations.
Dewey’s concept of social control shaped the problem awareness of early American
social theory and is intrinsically consistent with the connotation of “the pedagogical
power”（教 化 权 力） as expounded by Hsiao鄄Tung Fei. Clarifying this connection
will help us reflect on the complex relationship between individual freedom and
civilized traditions，and inspires actions based on sound judgment.
Keywords：social control，Dewey，individual freedom，education

一、 引言

个体自由与社会规范之间的关系一直是社会理论中备受关注的核
心议题之一。 按照专攻美国社会科学史的多萝西·罗斯 （ Dorothy Ross）
的说法，美国社会理论在处理这一问题时呈现了鲜明的文明特色。 思考
美国早期文明中的自由传统、 共和传统和新教传统如何在现代性的处
境中被保存下来， 是美国社会理论在诞生之初就具备的学科视野（ Ross，
1991：85-97）。 在此文明视野下，“社会控制”（social control）成为美国社
会理论中的一个标识性概念。 多萝西·罗斯（Ross，1991：254）指出：“‘社

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