Dewey and the Ancients: Essays on Hellenic and Hellenistic Themes in the Philosophy of John Dewey (Bloomsbury Studies in American Philosophy)

"Dewey's students at Columbia saw him as "an Aristotelian more Aristotelian than Aristotle himself." However, until now, there has been little consideration of the influence Greek thought had on the intellectual development of this key American philosopher. By examining, in detail, Dewey's treatment and appropriation of Greek thought, the authors in this volume reveal an otherwise largely overlooked facet of his intellectual development and finalized ideas. Rather than offering just one unified account of Dewey's connection to Greek thought, this volume offers multiple perspectives on Dewey's view of the aims and purpose of philosophy. Ultimately, each author reveals ways in which Dewey's thought was in line with ancient themes. When combined, they offer a tapestry of comparative approaches with special attention paid to key contributions in political, social, and pedagogical philosophy."--Bloomsbury Publishing. Cover Half-title Title Copyright Contents List of Contributors Acknowledgments Note on Conventions Dewey and the Ancients: Editor’s Introduction Notes References Part I: Dewey and the Greek Tradition 1 Dewey and Ancient Philosophies: The Unfinished Cultural Project Dewey and ancient philosophies Dewey and Plato Dewey and Aristotle Pedagogy and the professionalism of philosophy Dewey’s view of philosophy Human nature The unfinished project Conclusion Notes References 2 Potentiality and Naturalism: Dewey’s Metaphysical Metamorphosis Dewey’s metamorphosis Dewey’s analysis of the crisis of Western philosophy Dewey’s reintroduction of potentiality into nature Notes References 3 Dewey and “the Greeks:” Inquiry and the Organic Spirit of Greek Philosophy The organic spirit of Greek philosophy Organicism and the development of Dewey’s naturalism Knowledge as “doing” The “instrumental” features of knowledge The non-propositional elements of knowledge Knowledge, praxis, cosmos—habit and growth Transaction and non-linear growth Notes References Part II: Dewey and Plato 4 Let Education in the Cave: Reclaiming a Progressive Political Role for the Individual in a Modern Democracy Reflections on Plato’s views on education, individuality and democracy Dewey on the role of the individual in a modern democracy Concluding remarks Notes References 5 The Dialogues as Dramatic Rehearsal: Plato’s Republic and the Moral Accounting Metaphor Notes References 6 Justice in Society and the Individual: A Comparison of Plato’s Republic and Dewey’s Great Community Notes References Part III: Dewey and Aristotle 7 Dewey, Aristotle and the Spectator Theory of Knowledge The Problem of Knowledge Dewey’s uncharitable reading Shifting the paradigm Notes References 8 Beyond Fixed Ends and Limited Moral Community: Aristotle, Dewey, and Contemporary Applications in Ethics Habit and character in Aristotle’s ethics Beyond fixed ends: Dewey’s social ethics Aristotle and Dewey after Darwin Virtue, care, and expanding moral relationships: Contemporary applications in ethics Notes References 9 How to Make Our Passions Clear: How Aristotle’s Understanding of the Passions Enriches Dewey’s Conception of Changing Human Nature Dewey, Aristotle, and human nature: The line in the sand Aristotle on the nature of the passions Towards understanding the passions Conclusion Notes References Part IV: Dewey and Hellenistic Thought 10 Epicurean Pragmatism Notes References 11 The Peace of the Sword: Dewey and Pyrrhonian Skepticism The new peace Ancient skepticism Experience, doubt, and inquiry The quest for certainty The moral dimension Precarious truth References Index Dewey's students at Columbia saw him as "an Aristotelian more Aristotelian than Aristotle himself." However, until now, there has been little consideration of the influence Greek thought had on the intellectual development of this key American philosopher. By examining, in detail, Dewey's treatment and appropriation of Greek thought, the authors in this volume reveal an otherwise largely overlooked facet of his intellectual development and finalized ideas. Rather than offering just one unified account of Dewey's connection to Greek thought, this volume offers multiple perspectives on Dewey's view of the aims and purpose of philosophy. Ultimately, each author reveals ways in which Dewey's thought was in line with ancient themes. When combined, they offer a tapestry of comparative approaches with special attention paid to key contributions in political, social, and pedagogical philosophy. Christopher C. Kirby is Assistant Professor of Philosophy, Eastern Washington University, Cheney, Wash. USA Publisher's note

Dewey's students at Columbia saw him as "an Aristotelian more Aristotelian than Aristotle himself."
However, until now, there has been little consideration of the influence Greek thought had on the intellectual development of this key American philosopher. By examining, in detail, Dewey's treatment and appropriation of Greek thought, the authors in this volume reveal an otherwise largely overlooked facet of his intellectual development and finalized ideas. Rather than offering just one unified account of Dewey's connection to Greek thought, this volume offers multiple perspectives on Dewey's view of the aims and purpose of philosophy. Ultimately, each author reveals ways in which Dewey's thought was in line with ancient themes. When combined, they offer a tapestry of comparative approaches with special attention paid to key contributions in political, social, and pedagogical philosophy.