• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
• /
• v.36 no.3
• /
• pp.485-498
• /
• 2016

In this study, the views and the meaning of nature between the Western world and East Asia were compared through literature analysis. In the West, it is recognized that nature and human beings are separate. Nature is understood as regular and rational. They, therefore, take the view of particle and mechanical theory. In East Asia, it is thought that nature and humans interact with each other, and take an attitude of compromise and tolerance. Since nature is recognized as an ever-changing being, they, therefore, take the position of wave theory. Scientific knowledge and concepts are accepted depending on the personal view of nature. In Korea, science education follows the view of modern western science without considering the personal pattern of cognition, though students can have various views of nature. The attitude is needed regarding the various viewpoints as rich resources in science and science education.