John Dewey's The Public and its Problems Ch.5 Ep #5

In this fifth installment of our John Dewey Series, we delve into Chapter 5 of "The Public and Its Problems," titled "Search for the Great Community," exploring its implications for contemporary society. We draw metaphorical parallels between jazz improvisation and societal discourse, underscoring the importance of open communication, especially in the face of the polarizing phenomenon of cancel culture. Through a discussion on intellectual freedom, we elucidate the crucial roles of open-mindedness, courage, prudence, justice, and compassion in fostering harmonious societal ensembles. The episode underlines Dewey's emphasis on the power of art and literature in the presentation and dissemination of ideas, enabling rigorous exploration and inquiry to resonate with the masses. We highlight the transformative potential of art and literature in shaping democracy, underscoring their capacity to enhance our understanding of ourselves, others, and the world we share. We conclude the episode by acknowledging the intricate interplay between art, literature, and democracy. This amalgam of philosophical introspection and contemporary discourse analysis offers valuable insights for navigating our increasingly complex social landscapes.

Topics Covered:

• Cancel culture and its impact on societal discourse
• The metaphor of jazz improvisation
• John Dewey's philosophy on intellectual freedom
• Role of open-mindedness, courage, prudence, justice, and compassion in societal discourse
• Importance of art and presentation in disseminating ideas
• The transformative potential of literature and art
• Role of artists in shaping public opinion
• Richard Rorty's thoughts on vehicles of moral change
• Interplay between art, literature, and democracy
• The importance of free social inquiry and artful communication

Recommended Books:

1. "Irony, Contingency, and Solidarity" by Richard Rorty: An influential work that challenges traditional notions of truth and discusses the role of  literature in moral progress.
2. "The Western Canon: The Books and School of the Ages" by Harold Bloom: A rich exploration of literature's transformative potential, seen through  the lens of Bloom's critical genius.
3. "The  Field of Cultural Production: Essays on Art and Literature" by Pierre  Bourdieu: This book presents a comprehensive view of Bourdieu's  wide-ranging theories of art and literature, shedding light on his concept  of 'habitus.'

The Book: The Public and its Problems

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Music by Jeffrey Anthony: https://open.spotify.com/album/1Q9wJCeuUa3wrHrKKtsTFW?si=NeyPJ-dzRBeWfHhYDPgvvw