John Dewey's The Public and its Problems Ch.1 Ep#1

Welcome to Reviving Virtue, a podcast where we confront the urgent challenges of today's world by exploring the crucial role of creating a coherent moral narrative for our time. I'm your host, Jeffrey Anthony, on a quest to address liberalism's quandary and pave the way towards a more unified society. Join me on this journey as we delve into ethics, philosophy, and community-building, seeking to foster a common understanding that promotes human flourishing and harmony.

In the inaugural episode of our six-part series, we delve into John Dewey's seminal work, "The Public and its Problems." We explore Dewey's key concepts including the distinction between public and private acts, their social consequences, and the implications for understanding the complex relationship between individuals and society. Dewey's approach, which emphasizes the importance of consequences over causal forces, is scrutinized and applied to modern political discourse. We grapple with the challenges faced by libertarian ideology in acknowledging the societal impacts of private actions and address the critique against rigid political structures. Drawing on Dewey's insistence on the state's experimental nature, the episode argues for an ethic of agency, creativity, and courage to continually reassess our societal structures in response to evolving public needs. This discussion lays the groundwork for a larger exploration of liberalism, personhood, community, and the role of the state in shaping the good life in our late modernity.

Some Topics Discussed:

John Dewey

Pragmatism

The Correspondence Theory of Truth

The Coherence Theory of Truth

William James

Charles Sanders Peirce

Richard Rorty

Economic Externalities

Dewey’s use of the word Intelligence

Philosophy of Education

Social Constructivism

Public vs. Private Actions

Modern Libertarianism

Ethic of Agency, Creativity, and Courage

Liberalism in Late Modernity

Personhood and Community

Role of the State in Shaping Society

Historical Contingencies and Social Order

Relevance of Dewey’s work today

The Book: The Public and its Problems

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