Understanding the educational philosophy of John Dewey

John Dewey published many articles and books on various evolutionary, psychological, and philosophical topics. His influence was evident in the fields of philosophy and educational thought, but the differences of opinion regarding the extent of his actual influence on educational practice, and he was even received throughout his life with very extreme views, ranging from admiration to ridicule and reprimands. Several concluding statements can be made regarding Dewey’s influence on educators during the first half of the twentieth century. First, Dewey was often used by his contemporaries to reconcile positivist social science with pragmatist philosophy. Second, although Dewey’s book Democracy and Education has been identified as the “Bible of the then-emerging educational reform,” there were many Dewey texts quoted, often without any reference to others. Third, Dewey’s philosophy was used to support purposive reform agendas. To social control and social adjustment and also to social reconstruction and social justice.