Development in Light of the Basic Categories of Thought of John Dewey

Abstract

Development is undoubtedly one of the most important concepts accompanying considerations on education and upbringing. Every educator must, at a certain stage of his or her activity, confront this highly contestable idea. John Dewey, whose views are the subject of analysis in this article, was certainly not one who would have avoided this. The aim of this publication is to reconstruct the development of the theory of the American educator and to reflect critically on it on the basis of his works and selected works discussing the pedagogical and philosophical thought of the pragmatic scholar. The main ideas associated with Dewey, such as instrumental value, the notion of habit or democracy, are depicted in particular parts of the publication. The presented issues are reflected on through the prism of their pedagogical implications. The analysis of the subject showed the possible developmental directions open to individuals in Dewey’s thought, which is the development of society. It seems inevitable that further research on the pedagogy of the American philosopher is needed in order to better understand and interpret his ideas or to resolve the ambiguities that exist in his writings.