Pragmatism/Philosophy of Education

Sketch and Photo: E. Yeger.

Pragmatism was American's most interesting homegrown philosophical school, and John Dewey was the culminating figure in the classical tradition: both its most sophisticated and its last prominent flagbearer. For Dewey, philosophy of education was first philosophy: he began by asking what it takes to teach someone, and what is involved in learning, and in thinking that topic through, ended up having to address the full menu of philosophical problems. We will start the semester by putting in place the pragmatist background we will need to understand Dewey, with readings from Charles Sanders Peirce and William James. The remainder of the term will be devoted to Dewey's systematic philosophy, with coverage of his epistemology, his account of practical rationality, political theory and aesthetics. Our focus will be the way all of those views fell into place around and were shaped by his attempt to understand education.

PHIL 5191/6191/5193/6193
Fall 2019
Time: Th 2:00-5:00
Location: CTIHB 459