John Mwai Theuri*, Njuguna Waitherero** and Patrick Nyabul***
*Department of Philosophy, Catholic University of Eastern Africa, P.O. Box 62157 – 00200, Nairobi – Kenya
Johnmwaitheuri@yahoo.com
** Department of Philosophy, Catholic University of Eastern Africa, P.O. Box 62157 – 00200, Nairobi – Kenya
***Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies, The University of Nairobi, P.O Box 19676 -00202, Nairobi – Kenya
Abstract
The aim of this article is to present John Dewey’s philosophy of education with the purpose of affirming the relationship between education and ethics as exemplified by virtues in the integral development of the personality and to demonstrate that neither education nor ethics can exist alone in the integral development of the personality. Dewey’s contribution to the philosophy of education is unique and gives a special perspective as he responded to unique demands both in education and in Ethics. This uniqueness gave his principal contributions a context, a meaning and an enduring influence that has persisted to the present times. His background, education and work experience came in handy in his endeavor to link education and ethics and in coining the concept progressive education. This article will begin with an introduction in which the objective will be laid out. The second part of the article will elaborate on the purpose of education according to John Dewey which includes giving the students a pragmatic approach to life. This will be followed by Dewey’s theory of enquiry exemplified by psychology as the basis of education and experience as a method, Positive Account of Experience, Reconstruction in moral concepts, Reconstruction in moral concepts. We will conclude by giving the implication of education as a fundamental process in human life and in the development of an integral personality.
Keywords: Education, Ethics, Character, Integral, Philosophy, Progressive
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Suggested Citation
Mwai, T.J. (2020). John Dewey’s Theory of Progressive Education. African Research Journal of Education and Social Sciences, 7(2), 47-63, 2020. Available online at http://arjess.org/education-research/john-deweys-theory-of-progressive-education.pdf
