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Life
John Dewey’s most famous contribution’s are arguably in the world of pragmatism and education. -
Graduate School
John Dewey attended graduate school at John Hopkins University, during his time at University he wrote a dissertation called “The Psychology of Kant”. Sadly the document got lost and still hasn’t been found. -
Early Career
After graduation and getting his Ph.D, John Dewey got a faculty position at the University of Michigan and University of Minnesota (1884-1894). During this time he got married and had six children. He later went on to publish his own paper, “The Study of Ethics: A Syllabus”. Dewey, J. (1894). The study of ethics : a syllabus. Inland Press, 1894. -
Pragmatism
John Dewey was a founding member of the American pragmatism movement. His contribution to pragmatic theory was in the social spectrum covering education and democracy. -
The Laboratory School
John Dewey founded the Laboratory School at the University of Chicago. The Laboratory at the time was use to conduct psychological test and his theories on education. -
Head of Philosophy
In 1984, John Dewey was offered head of Philosophy at the University of Chicago. During his time there he developed his own philosophy. Rational Empiricism, working with other Empiricist’s at the time to develop Pragmatism. -
“The Reflex Arc Concept in Physchology” model of learning
John Dewey published a critique of the current learning reflex arc. The current reflex arc says that learning is mechanical in nature and it is measurable by standard tests. John Dewey thought that “reflex arc” is a process of inquiry, sense of need and finding satisfactory results. This changed peoples thoughts on how people learn. It lead to changes in education.
Dewey, J. (1896). The reflex arc concept in psychology. Psychological Review, 3(4), 357–370. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0070405 -
“The School and Society” (1899)
John Dewey’s first famous work on education.This work made a foundation for progressing experimentation in education. The work focuses on the interdependency of education and social progress. He famously argued that school should be student focused curriculum, instead of the current approach of curriculum focused on standardized tests. This work had impact across the globe on education during the time, it is still having an impact today.
Source:https://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2001703723/ -
Instrumentalism and Functionalism
John Dewey’s most notable creation is Instrumentalism and Functionalism. Instrumentalism is a methodology that says concepts and theories are instruments should not be measured for there worth but the effect they have explaining and predicting. Functionalism is the belief that human behavior is based on our adaption to the environment. Arguably his biggest impact in philosophy is his Functionalist theory. -
Columbia University
Dewey left the University of Chicago to go work at Columbia University where he went to publish his most famous works. “Democracy and Education” (1916), “Experience and Nature” (1926). Dewey went on too teach at University for the next 25 years till he retired in 1930. -
“The Influence of Darwin on Philosophy and other essays in contemporary thought”
John Dewey thought there should be a “Darwin of Philosophy”, he thought there should be someone to break down old philosophy to the basics like Darwin did with his Theory of Evolution. Dewey believed there needed to be a change within philosophy and his functionalism seemed to be the answer. Humans develop behavior based on their current environment. That was the idea. Dewey, John. The Influence of Darwin on Philosophy, and Other Essays in Contemporary Thought. Project Gutenberg. -
Democracy and Education (1916)
Arguably one of John Dewey’s most influential work. He had a pragmatic or practical approach to education. He believed that education needs to be carefully approached. Dewey believed that current teaching methods were inadequate and didn’t focus on the the students. Dewey, John. Democracy and Education: An Introduction to the Philosophy of Education. Project Gutenberg, 1997. https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/pdf/10.1086/453309 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3fm6wNzK70 -
“Essays in Experimental Logic” (1918)
John Dewey published this paper outlining his personal thoughts and reflections on several different topics. Dewey, John. Essays in Experimental Logic, by John Dewey. The University of Chicago press, 1918. -
“The Public and It’s Problems”
Dewey’s political work that encompasses the relationship between individuals and their environment. His theory on Instrumentalism is applied in this work. This work explains tries to explain complex relationships of the public and people and how they work together. The work also goes into detail to explain the dependency of democracy and interaction with each-other. How we need education, interaction and community. Dewey John. The Public and Its Problems. H. Holt and Company 1927. -
Retirement
In 1930, John Dewey retired from Columbia University. After retirement he started writing for magazines and was an advocate for the woman’s suffrage movement, the teachers union, and other political movements at the time. https://www.philosophybasics.com/philosophers_dewey.html -
Death
John Dewey died from pneumonia at the age of 92 at his home.