This collection reflects his profound advocacy for educational reform as essential to China's modernization. Deeply influenced by John Dewey's pragmatism during his US studies, Hu Shi championed replacing China's traditional, exam-focused Confucian system with scientific inquiry and critical thinking. He passionately argued for adopting vernacular Chinese (baihua) as the language of instruction to make learning accessible. Key themes include freedom of thought, the vital role of universities in research and societal progress, and the need for independent scholarship. His tenure as President of Peking University embodied these principles. Hu Shi's educational philosophy, emphasizing pragmatism, accessibility, and intellectual liberation, profoundly shaped 20th-century Chinese academia and remains highly influential.