Can Education Participate in Social Reconstruction?

John Dewey

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Abstract

In this article Dewey clearly expresses his position on the complex role of schooling as well as his critique of certain idealist approaches. Notwithstanding defending a school system that has the responsibility to transform the existent social order, a status quo based on the principles of individualism, Dewey refuses to accept that such a responsibility be delegated only to schools. In fact, schools should be understood as integral parts of a vast social context and, with other institutions, participate in this transformation. In so doing, says Dewey, they would be fulfilling their social role.