The Educational Conception in Democracy

• In Event: Dewey's Democracy in Unprecedented Times

Abstract

In *Democracy and Education*, Dewey paints a picture of education which implicitly endorses a democratic way of life. He suggests that his ideal of education can only be realized in a social environment where (i) all people can consciously share numerous and varied interests and (ii) those same people can interact with fullness and freedom. Not only does Dewey think these two conditions are necessary for education, he also claims they are desirable forms of community life. And since he thinks these two conditions both point to democracy, his claim implies that democracy itself is desirable. This paper aims to explore whether Dewey’s picture of eduction does in fact give us compelling reason to commit ourselves to democratic principles.

Author

• Stefan Dorosz, Teachers College, Columbia University