Education Science Unleashed: Dewey’s Dreams Meet Gadamer’s Doubts

• In Event: Roundtable Session 101
  In Roundtable Session: Issues in John Dewey’s Philosophical Thought

Abstract

In this philosophical exploration, John Dewey’s dreams are juxtaposed with Hans-Georg Gadamer’s doubts regarding the nature, scope, and limitations of scientific method applied to education. Explicit claims as well as presuppositions in trends toward more emphasis on “scientifically based” initiatives and less emphasis on philosophy in teacher preparation are examined. The comparison of Dewey’s dreams and Gadamer’s doubts clarifies some of the challenges facing those who teach philosophy of education. The interplay of Dewey’s dreams and Gadamer’s doubts also provides justification for claiming space to articulate practical philosophies grounded in practical wisdom. Such a space offers teachers an opportunity to affirm “teaching as a practice” irreducible to their capacity to use “scientifically based” “standard products” “with fidelity” and “at scale.”

Author

• Linda Jeanne O'Neill, Northern Illinois University