Lecture Notes: John Dewey's Democracy and Education

Introduction

• Philosopher: John Dewey
• Book: Democracy and Education (1916)
• Context: America before joining WWI, rising world power
• Philosophical Approach: Pragmatism applied to education

Key Themes and Concepts

• Life and Education:

  • Education is a necessity of life, not superfluous.
  • Biological context: Life is a self-renewing process through action on the environment.
  • Continuity of life is not dependent on prolongation of the individual.
  • Education as a means for social continuity of life.

• Social vs. Individual Focus:

  • Education directed at social continuity rather than individualistic goals.
  • The group life is prioritized over individual aspirations.

• Formal Education and Its Roles:

  • More important in complex societies.
  • Transition from informal to formal education carries risks (e.g., being too abstract).
  • Education is broader than schooling; schooling is one institution among many.

Democracy and Education

• Democratic Concept of Education:

  • Education as a social function: integration into societal life.
  • Emphasizes variation and the interplay among forms of association.
  • Contrast with despotic and static educational models.

• Democracy Beyond Politics:

  • More than government, it’s a mode of associated living and shared experiences.
  • Aims to break down class, race, and national barriers.

Critique of Other Educational Models

• Platonic Model:

  • Critique: Too focused on static organization and philosopher-king rule.
  • Dewey’s view: Education should be democratic, not top-down.

• 18th Century "Individualistic" Ideal:

  • Critique: Anti-social, focused on private happiness.
  • Dewey’s view: Education needs a social focus, not just individual freedom.

• Nationalistic/Prussian Model:

  • Critique: Opposite of individualism, focused on state control.
  • Dewey’s view: Reconciliation needed between nationalism and individuality.

Education in Context of Modern Society

• Social Diversity and Cosmopolitanism:

  • Modern societies are diverse and constantly evolving.
  • Education should reflect and foster this diversity.

• Challenges of Nationalism vs. Cosmopolitanism:

  • Tension between increasing national sovereignty and global interconnectedness.
  • Educators need to address these contradictions.

Conclusion

• Philosophical Approach to Education:
  • Essential to define what society we are educating for.
  • Emphasis on democracy as a broad social concept, not just political.
• Role of Educators:
  • Need to balance national identity with global citizenry.
  • Promote cooperation beyond geographic and political limits.