Moral and Epistemological Implications of John Dewey’s Instrumentalism
Journal Title: SOCIALSCI JOURNAL - Year 2018, Vol 1, Issue 1
Abstract
Humanity embarks on epistemological quests in order to achieve knowledge that could in turn minister to human needs. knowledge by this token becomes a tool for problem-solving. The human specie therefore theorizes in order to explain myriad difficult existential challenges and to gain firm control of their environment. John Dewey in the 20th century advances his instrumentalism postulate, which proposes a reconstruction in philosophy. He proposes a pragmatic reconstruction of truth in terms of its practical function such that knowledge, morality and even education could be instrumentalized. Dewey adopts the scientific methodology of experimentalism in order to fully achieve his instrumentalism. Regrettably, he overemphasizes the method of science as all sufficing and this renders society’s set goals indeterminate and breeds solipsism. When knowledge and morality get instrumentalized, morality becomes relativized leaving no possibility of a reference to any fixed moral code. This research therefore aims to expose the moral and epistemological implications of Dewey’s instrumentalism. The author adopts the textual analysis method of enquiry and suggests a humanization of instrumentalism, which protects human dignity and personhood as well as promotes the safe appropriation of the positive benefits of the scientific adventure.
Authors and Affiliations
Cardinal Chinanu Ihejirika
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP432184
- DOI -
- Views 151
- Downloads 0
Towards an Entrepreneurship Curriculum in a Developing Country Tertiary Institution: The Case of Zimbabwe Open University
Entrepreneurial activities are considered crucial to economic development. In the case of Zimbabwe, unemployment has reached unprecedented levels because of the shutting down of industries. However, economic development...
Unlocking Full Economic Potential of Agriculture Sector in Punjab: Policy Options
In order to unlock the full economic potential of agriculture sector in Punjab, there is need to identify, map and prioritize the challenges and constraints faced by agriculture. The key challenges and constraints in the...
Investigation of Vocational Qualifications for Social Workers İn The Context of Health Service
The social workers employed in health care, “public health, primary and specialty care and rehabilitation, home health, long-term care.” [1] Social work in health care settings addressing patient needs that include...
The Emergence and Development of Sino-Nigeria Economic Relations: An Analysis
The paper examines the emergence and development of bilateral trade and investment between Nigeria and china, and analyses the level and volumes of imports and exports between the two states. By adopting the secondary me...
Entitlements to Basics Services of Inter-State Migrants Living in Urban Slums of Bangalore City
In urban areas, there is the availability of better employment, education, and health infrastructure, and hence, people forced to migrate from rural to urban area. Along with this, due to change in the occupational patte...