Original scientific paper

The Contemporary Relevance of Dewey’s Social Liberalism

Heda Festini ; Rijeka, Croatia

Abstract

Explicit and anticipated criticisms of early capitalism and neoliberalism are discussed (Th. Green, 1883; H. Kelsen, 1932) with an emphasis on Dewey’s critique (1935) which persists until today.
Dewey’s call for a method of intelligence, which as a scientific method would bring adequate legal, institutional and civilizational changes to all aspects of society, is emphasized. Those changes will continually contribute to the development of freedom and to progress through control of the free market.
It is noted that, according to Dewey, the integral concept of education takes a special place in his doctrine. Besides imparting knowledge, proper education is concerned with the formation of a free, open-minded and liberal personality, which is not achieved through a particular moral education, and especially not through religion.
Finally, it is important to maintain those practices from the past which were constructive – and this is especially significant for the period of socialism (e.g. self-government).

Keywords

liberalism; neo-liberalism; integral concept of education; John Dewey

Hrčak ID:

58379

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/58379

Publication date:

2.8.2010.

Article data in other languages: croatian french german

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