Democracy and Education: An Introduction to the Philosophy of Education

Dualism is the division of a phenomenon or a concept into two isolated spheres, e.g., man-nature dualism, mind-body dualism, and the active-passive dualism of knowledge. In this text, Dewey typically argues against dualism and proposes a holistic, integrated approach.

Empiricism is the information that is rooted in the observation that comes from using the five senses. Empirical observation became an important feature of modern science starting in the 16th century.

The Enlightenment was an intellectual movement in Europe in the 17th and 18th centuries. This movement focused on overturning accepted traditions and norms based on individualism, reason, secular values, and scientific and social progress.

Humanism is a school of thought that has roots in ancient Greece and Rome and is typically linked to the European Renaissance. Humanism focuses on the human element in philosophy, arts, and literature.

The Industrial Revolution was a process that featured economic, social, and political changes that occurred once society transformed from an agricultural, artisanal form to a capitalist, urban, manufacturing form. The Industrial Revolution had two waves, 1760-1840 and 1870-1914. 

According to Dewey, an interest “represents the moving force of objects—whether perceived or presented in imagination—in any experience having a purpose” (100). It is the link between the beginning of an activity and its desired ends in an educational or work context.

To Dewey, a teaching method is “a statement of the way the subject matter of an experience develops most effectively and fruitfully” (138).

The Montessori method of education was founded by the doctor and educator Maria Montessori in the late 19th century. The method focuses on incorporating play and activities into learning for young children. 

Pedagogy is an academic discipline focused on theories of learning as well as their practical applications.

Plato’s Republic imagines an ideal state in which society is run by a group of powerful leaders called philosopher-kings.

The Scientific Revolution began in the 16th century and established modern science such as astronomy, biology, chemistry, and physics.

The scientific method, also known as the empirical method, is a procedure in hard sciences that involves setting a hypothesis, observation, and experimentation to test the hypothesis. The scientific method became an integral part of science starting from the Early Modern period.

Scholasticism was a school of thought within Western Medieval Church which attempted to combine reason, based on Aristotelian precedents, and faith based on Augustine of Hippo and other Church fathers.

The Sophists were ancient Greek educators who usually focused on teaching rhetoric (speaking and writing) and philosophy. Dewey considers them “the first body of professional educators in Europe” (252).