John Dewey Essay - 1595 Words

John Dewey was one of the greatest minds in history. A philosopher, his concern was democracy and its ideals. A thinker about the problems in education. A prominent voice in America, commanding the admiration of those who agreed with his views, and respect for his mind even from those who did not. The man: John Dewey, an American philosopher. Dewey’s pedagogy was one with three distinctive traits: it was democratic in that it called for pluralism. It was a follower of the scientific method in that it was a systemic approach at solving problems and forming judgments, both practical and moral. It prized directed experience as an ongoing process of means as ends and ends as means. These three traits of Dewey’s philosophy are tied to all†¦show more content†¦For Dewey, schools were responsible for developing democratic dispositions and tools: acute social awareness; critical assessments of existing social institutions; skepticism; voluntary cooperation. In the end, the best tool for democracy, which was highly democratic in Dewey’s view, was the scientific method. Dewey saw in democracy, aided with these tools of enlightenment, the social structure most capable of growing, progressing, in an ethical and humane way. He wrote, â€Å"As a society becomes more enlightened, it realizes that it is res ponsible not to transmit and conserve the whole of its existing achievements, but only such as make for a better future society. The school is the chief agency for the accomplishment of this end† (DE, 20). The school was for much of Dewey’s life the primary source of progress in a dynamic democracy. Because Dewey’s faith in democracy was so strong, and because he was not so optimistic to think that people would always and naturally make good decisions, he was compelled to put education high on his list of social priorities. Dewey felt that it was essential that the public be enlightened with knowledge; moreover, Dewey laid more emphasis on judgment than the mere accumulation of facts: people were to have the best method of forming good judgments. That method was the scientific method. Pointing out that â€Å"emotions andShow MoreRelatedWilliam James And John Dewey930 Words   |  4 PagesWilliam James, and John Dewey are well-known for their contributions to early psychology. Both were highly influential in the transition from mental philosophy to scientific psychology. This transition involved moving from a narrow focus of consciousness structure to the psychological study of the purpose, and processes of human functioning. These psychologists used their own reflections to attempt the separation of conscious experience into elements. James conceived a more practical, and dynamicRead MoreEducational Philosophy of John Dewey Essay702 Words   |  3 PagesThe Educational Philosophy of John Dewey John Dewey is known as leader of the progressive movement in the history of the American education system and his book, Democracy and Education: an introduction to the philosophy of education, could be used as a textbook to teach the foundations of the movement. Discrediting all previous educational and philosophic approaches as intellectually incomplete or inaccurate, Dewey first presents a new perspective on the nature of knowledge, education, societyRead MoreJohn Dewey And Traditional Education1832 Words   |  8 PagesThrough reading the theories of John Dewey, it’s become clear that his primary concern was that the traditional education model that was available in his time-period; which schooled students in basic subject matter, however, did not take on the task of teaching problem solving techniques. Thus, the students had no real way to deal with actual problems due to their lack of education in the subject matter. This phenomena in education is not something of just Dewey’s time, it continues throughout ourRead MoreJohn Dewey And Progressive Education1766 Words   |  8 PagesJohn Dewey and Progressive Education One of the most vitalizing and dominant thinkers in American education was John Dewey (1859-1952). His philosophy of pragmatism was central to the progressive education movement, which emphasizes the need to learn by doing. Progressive education is a vital part of a successful democracy because it encourages citizens to think for themselves. Dewey believed that there was a direct link between education and social action in a democracy and that school shouldRead MoreWilliam James And John Dewey1061 Words   |  5 PagesWilliam James and John Dewey are well-known for their contributions to early psychology. Both were highly influential in the transition from mental philosophy to scientific psychology. This transition involved moving from a narrow focus of consciousness structure to the psychological study of the purpose, and processes of human functioning. These psychologists used their own reflections to attempt the separation of conscious experience into elements. James conceived a more practical, and dynamicRead MoreJohn Dewey And The Progressive Education Movement1381 Words   |  6 PagesJohn Dewey is the most important figure in the progressive education movement. He is a philosopher and an educator whom developed a vision of how education should be. At Johns Hopkins University, Dewey got his PhD in philosophy in 1884. He was teaching philosophy and psychology until his interests directed him towards child psychology. While studying child psychology, Dewey developed a philosophy of education that would correlate with democratic society. He then became a professor at UniversityRead MoreComapring Gardners Model to the Theory of John Dewey2342 Words   |  10 Pageshistory, caught in its movement; creators perhaps in some measure of its future, but also assuredly creatures of its past.-John Dewey American philosopher, social commentator, idealist, educator, and democratic theorist, John Dewey has had a profound impact on Americas educational system. Proponent of change and advocate of hands-on learning and interactive classrooms, Dewey accomplished a great deal in his long life, (interestingly enough, he is the only major philosopher to live beyond his ninetiethRead MoreAnalysis Of John Dewey s The Metamorphoses Of Ovid 1402 Words   |  6 Pageshave to understand the experience the artist goes through while making a work of art. In â€Å"Art as Experience†, John Dewey states that a real work of art is the experience of making the work of art and not the final piece. For instance, in â€Å"The Metamorphoses of Ovid† Ovid ‘s Arachne serves as an allegory for Dewey’s belief, that art is not the object but the process of creation. John Dewey is an American philosopher considered to be one of the founders of functional psychology. He has also been veryRead MoreAnalysis Of John Dewey s Democracy And Education1819 Words   |  8 Pages John Dewey in Democracy and Education, stresses the importance of formal education and how the mass media has manipulated the uneducated in our society. However, Dewey explains how manipulation is prevented through formal education. Not only will society become intelligent, they will be better-educated citizens with knowledge about serving others. Therefore, creating citizens that want to help each other and make a successful democracy. Dewey is still speaking to us today, about the mass media andRead MoreJohn Dewey and his Idea of Learning Essay1906 Words   |  8 Pages Experience and Education portrays John Dewey’s critical analysis of the traditional and progressive education system. He believed that people, no matter their age, did not have an empty mind, waiting to be filled with the knowledge schools offered. Alternatively, he pushed a method of learning where students organized information based on facts by expanding on previous knowledge; such a situation implies that teachers must create an environment as to foster such an experience. Thus, the challenge