Overview
This lecture examines John Dewey's philosophy, focusing on his instrumental pragmatism, his critique of traditional philosophy, and the implications for epistemology, ethics, and politics.
Dewey and Pragmatism
- John Dewey was a leading American philosopher known for instrumental pragmatism.
- Pragmatism, founded by Charles Sanders Peirce, evaluates meaning by practical consequences.
- Dewey expanded pragmatism beyond a theory of meaning to a historical and social context.
- Dewey's approach links philosophy to reform, democracy, and the American character.
Critique of Traditional Philosophy
- Dewey criticized traditional philosophy’s "spectator theory" of knowledge, where knowing is passive contemplation.
- He traced this view to Plato and Aristotle’s aristocratic backgrounds.
- Traditional dualisms (subject/object, theory/practice, mind/matter) are seen as outdated and unhelpful.
- Dewey shows these dualisms can lead to moral and practical problems when applied rigidly.
Dewey’s Naturalistic Empiricism
- Dewey replaces subject/object with organism/environment, emphasizing active engagement.
- Knowledge arises from practical problem-solving to improve our environment.
- Both physical and cultural environments are natural and inseparable for inquiry.
Epistemology and Truth
- Dewey rejects the search for absolute, eternal truths; instead, he values "warranted assertability."
- Knowledge and theories are tools that should be judged by their usefulness and ability to solve problems.
- Truth is not correspondence but what works better in practice; skepticism is avoided.
Ethics and Social Philosophy
- Dewey dismisses the quest for ultimate, fixed moral values.
- Ethics should be experimental, adjusting customs and habits as environments change.
- Values are plural, shaped by culture and habit, and should not be reduced to single principles.
- The goal of ethics is intelligent social reform, not revolution.
Democracy, Growth, and Education
- Dewey was committed to progressive, democratic values and saw self-creation as central to human development.
- Individual character is formed by society and culture; changing institutions shapes better selves.
- Education and social reconstruction are lifelong projects aimed at fostering dynamic, well-rounded individuals.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Pragmatism — philosophy that evaluates ideas by their practical effects and usefulness.
- Instrumentalism — Dewey’s version of pragmatism, viewing thought and theories as instruments for problem-solving.
- Spectator Theory of Knowledge — idea that knowledge is passive observation of external reality.
- Naturalistic Empiricism — Dewey’s approach emphasizing experience and natural processes in knowledge.
- Warranted Assertability — Dewey’s term for claims justified by practical success, replacing absolute truth.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review the differences between traditional and pragmatic theories of knowledge.
- Reflect on examples where practical consequences clarify the meaning or value of beliefs.
- Read Dewey’s own works (e.g., "Reconstruction in Philosophy," "Experience and Nature") for deeper insight.