Lessons from America's Public Philosopher

Journal of Speculative Philosophy 29 (1):118-135 (2015)
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Abstract

This article argues for a definition of public philosophy inspired by John Dewey’s understanding of the “supreme intellectual obligation.” The first section examines five strong reasons why more public philosophy is needed and why the growing movement in public philosophy should be encouraged. The second section begins with a review of common understandings of public philosophy as well as some initial challenges that call for widening our conception of the practice. Then, it applies Dewey’s argument in “The Supreme Intellectual Obligation” to public philosophy, which must not be seen simply as a one-way street from intellectuals to the masses but, rather, as the task of fostering the scientific attitude and intellectual habits of mind in all citizens.

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Eric Thomas Weber
University of Kentucky

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Education for Technological Threats to Democracy.Eric Thomas Weber - 2023 - Contemporary Pragmatism 20 (1-2):38-52.

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