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Arguably the most influential thinker on education in the twentieth century, Dewey's contribution lies along several fronts. His attention to experience and reflection, democracy and community, and to environments for learning have been seminal...
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LibraryThing member tharleman
This is a outstanding theory of the process of thinking. Dewey's explanation separates the idea of thoughts from the process of thinking. Thinking, not something we turn on or off, is constantly refining itself. What we believe is a structure of gaps between information we have secured and the next
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thought we wish to secure. And we decide how secure each becomes. Each gap is a leap of faith from one perceived secure footing to the next. The journey never ends. Show Less
LibraryThing member Jewsbury
This worthy book is a reminder of how much times change but some things still stubbornly stay the same. Written over a hundred years ago, the book opens by describing the basic problems facing Western education today: the mushrooming of subjects, the chaos of curricula and the clamour of
Dewy explains why it is important to think clearly – sadly a rarely exercised skill. Then he argues that effective thinking should be education’s primary goal. Furthermore he goes on to explain what effective thinking amounts to and how it can be accomplished.
This is indeed a classic work from a noble and sensible era. In contrast much of modern philosophy seems to have surrendered its soul to celebrity, dogma and pride. Consequently it is refreshing to read an author who takes the time to explain his terms and to argue his points rationally. For modern audiences, some definitions might benefit from further finessing. Nonetheless his language is clear and moderate, and it is accompanied by many apt analogies. Thus this book was well worth resurrecting as a paperback.
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intransience, prejudice and flippancy. Dewy explains why it is important to think clearly – sadly a rarely exercised skill. Then he argues that effective thinking should be education’s primary goal. Furthermore he goes on to explain what effective thinking amounts to and how it can be accomplished.
This is indeed a classic work from a noble and sensible era. In contrast much of modern philosophy seems to have surrendered its soul to celebrity, dogma and pride. Consequently it is refreshing to read an author who takes the time to explain his terms and to argue his points rationally. For modern audiences, some definitions might benefit from further finessing. Nonetheless his language is clear and moderate, and it is accompanied by many apt analogies. Thus this book was well worth resurrecting as a paperback.
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LibraryThing member lschiff
An excellent book. The only thing lacking is a societal/political context in which thinking, learning and teaching take place, and how that context affects all of the above. But still, many ideas that are incredibly relevant after all of these years.
Original publication date
1910
Other editions
How We Think by John Dewey (Hardcover)