Abstract

David Hildebrand has written an excellent introduction to John Dewey’s thought. It can be recommended not only for beginners but also for everyone whose conception of Dewey’s writings is based on secondary sources. Misinterpretations of Dewey’s pragmatism are far too common. Hildebrand’s clear and thorough exposition helps to avoid them, even though he does not take stands on debates concerning interpretations of Dewey’s work. Or perhaps his book succeeds in this just because Hildebrand is content to explain Dewey’s basic ideas in a truthful way. Hildebrand discusses all the important aspects of Dewey’s thought. As to religion, one might expect that Dewey’s naturalism leads to rigorous atheism, but this ..