In the late 1900's the USA developed its own school of thinking, known as pragmatism. The gist is that ideas are only useful if they can be put into action. The Americans cleaned out the philosophy cupboard and threw out everything that had no practical value.
One of the leading lights of this new age of practical thinking was John Dewey. He saw education as the most useful means of putting his ideas into practice. Education shaped society. Dewey passionately believed in:
"The full development of
individuals as HUMAN
BEINGS"
The old pioneering spirit was very much alive and well in Dewey's home town of Burlington. The children he mixed with came from all walks of life. No-one was deemed better than anyone else. This helped shape his whole outlook. Throughout his long life he was a strong believer in democracy. He stuck up for anyone he thought was getting a raw deal. The young Dewey loved learning about things, but he found school boring. This experience also shaped his future.
Dewey believed that society was the sum total of the people in it. The better educated the people, the better the society would be. But bad teaching methods were resulting in a lot of potential going to waste.
Dewey thought children's talents and interests should be taken into account, rather than just teaching them facts parrot-fashion. As head of philosophy at the University of Chicago, he got the chance to put theory to practice. He opened an experimental school. Dewey encouraged parents to take an active role in their children's education.
Dewey's reputation earned him invitations all over the world. He was especially popular in China and Russia. Unfortunately, his sympathetic view of the new Communist regime in Russia got him labelled a "red".
Towards the end of his life he was also in trouble with some educationalists, who thought his methods had caused standards to slip.
"Nature itself is the ultimate reality"
"Parents must be involved in their children's education"
"The more important lessons of life are learned outside the classroom"
"Violent revolution can never be justified"
"Ideas are tools that can solve problems"
