The Education of John Dewey

by Jay Martin

During John Dewey's lifetime (1859-1952), one public opinion poll after another revealed that he was esteemed to be one of the ten most important thinkers in American history. His body of thought, conventionally identified by the shorthand word "Pragmatism," has been the distinctive American philosophy of the last fifty years. His work on education is famous worldwide and is still influential today, anticipating as it did the ascendance in contemporary American pedagogy of multiculturalism and independent thinking. His University of Chicago Laboratory School (founded in 1896) thrives still and is a model for schools worldwide, especially in emerging democracies. But how was this lifetime of thought enmeshed in Dewey's emotional experience, in his joys and sorrows as son and brother, husband and father, and in his political activism and spirituality? Acclaimed biographer Jay Martin recaptures the unity of Dewey's life and work, tracing important themes through the philosopher's childhood years, family history, religious experience, and influential friendships.

Based on original sources, notably the vast collection of unpublished papers in the Center for Dewey Studies, this book tells the full story, for the first time, of the life and times of the eminent American philosopher, pragmatist, education reformer, and man of letters. In particular, The Education of John Dewey highlights the importance of the women in Dewey's life, especially his mother, wife, and daughters, but also others, including the reformer Jane Addams and the novelist Anzia Yezierska. A fitting tribute to a master thinker, Martin has rendered a tour de force portrait of a philosopher and social activist in full, seamlessly reintegrating Dewey's thought into both his personal life and the broader historical themes of his time.

Genres: Biography, Education, Philosophy, History

592 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The number of typographical errors in the book is absolutely shocking, things like "a3dmiration" competing for the most deplorable error. Nonetheless, I thoroughly enjoyed this biography. It brought greater depth to my reading of Dewey, and it intensified my (already quite great) a3dmiration of him as a thinker, committed social/political activist, and human being. Though his synopses of Dewey's major works often leave something to be desired, Martin includes a number of poignant insights from Dewey that one might not encounter simply reading his works, among them the following:

In answer to a correspondent who somewhat later asked him about his own metaphysics, Dewey replied: "Of course, I have no 'metaphysics.'" Metaphysical thought, he went on to say, "is an enjoyable form of poetry... but poetry is a flower, not a rock." (454)

I highly recommend this to those with an interest in Dewey or American philosophy. It's a refreshing read, and it was a great way for me to recommit to both the study of Dewey and to Deweyan ideals after a trying semester.

[Matthew J Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally finished this monumental tome. Overall, a fantastic read. Martin does a good job of uncovering the exciting and touching moments of Dewey's life. The psychoanalyzing gets toned down as you get into the book, and I guess the points Martin was making is not so dubious in retrospect. Peters out considerably towards the end, until the rousing final chapter. Dewey's life was one of excitement, openness, passion, intellectual integrity, and tragedy, and Martin's account of it is touching, and shows how Dewey's "lived experience" impacted his thinking. I particularly appreciated the accounts of Dewey's family life (often bittersweet) and his qualities as a teacher.

I would say a must-read for anyone in philosophy, in education, or any student of the progressive era.
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Started reading ~ Nov. 1 2009. Checked out from UTD Library.

So far, an exquisitely detailed biography of America's greatest philosopher. A bit too thick with dubious psychological analyses, though.

[Ed · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a long biography of a man who lived a long, eventful and rich life. Martin, a psychoanalyst, beats the psychoanalytic drum annoyingly early in the book, but goes on review much of Dewey's writings in a clear and helpful way. He recounts many of Dewey's adventures, including his involvement with such people as Leon Trotsky and Bertrand Russel. I very much enjoyed Martin's sensitive presentation of Dewey's family life. Since Dewey lived through and was involved in so many events in twentieth century American history, this book lets the reader see those events from a very interesting perspective. As I said the book is long, but Martin's writing, not to mention Dewey's life are interesting enough that I never stopped wanting to read on.

[John Kissell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just as good the second time as the first ...