Many contemporary constructivists are particularly attuned to Dewey's penetrating criticism of traditional epistemology, which offers rich alternatives for understanding processes of learning and education, knowledge and truth, and experience and culture.
This book, the result of cooperation between the Center for Dewey Studies at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, and the Dewey Center at the University of Cologne, provides an excellent example of the international character of pragmatist studies against the backdrop of constructivist concerns. As a part of their exploration of the many points of contact between classical pragmatism and contemporary constructivism, its contributors turn their attention to theories of interaction and transaction, communication and culture, learning and education, community and democracy, theory and practice, and inquiry and methods.
Part One is a basic survey of Dewey's pragmatism and its implications for contemporary constructivism. Part Two examines the implications of the connections between Deweyan pragmatism and contemporary constructivism. Part Three presents a lively exchange among the contributors, as they challenge one another and defend their positions and perspectives. As they seek common ground, they articulate concepts such as power, truth, relativism, inquiry, and democracy from pragmatist and interactive constructivist vantage points in ways that are designed to render the preceding essays even more accessible. This concluding discussion demonstrates both the enduring relevance of classical pragmatism and the challenge of its reconstruction from the perspective of the Cologne program of interactive constructivism.
Industry Reviews
"The planetary reach of John Dewey's thought comes alive in this trenchant discussion of his epistemology and philosophy of education. It is salutary, indeed, that the American and German Center for Dewey Studies provide us with this refreshingly cross-cultural inquiry."-John J. McDermott, Texas A & M University "This book is a unique collaboration by leading scholars of Dewey on both sides of the Atlantic. The contributors illuminate theoretical resonance, and dissonance, between classical pragmatism and contemporary constructivism."-David T. Hansen, Teachers College, Columbia University "This tidy volume marks a milestone in the ongoing efforts of Larry Hickman to advocate for Deweyan pragmatism as a world philosophy. Like John Dewey himself-a social and political reformer on the international stage-Dewey's version of pragmatism is transactional, pluralistic, and resolutely cosmopolitan. In this tightly integrated collection of essays, a team of American and German educators place pragmatism and the Cologne-style interactive constructivism in dialog, and serving as an object lesson in itself for both approaches, provide a compelling argument for the international relevance of an always contemporary pragmatism. "-Roger T. Ames, University of Hawai'i "A substantial contribution to the theoretical literature on constructivism and Dewey's pragmatismhighly readable and lively debate that should provoke stimulating discussion among philosophers."-Nel Noddings, Stanford University "This volume grew out of the remarkably successful collaboration of American and German scholars. The contributors demonstrate the international scope and intense contemporary relevance of Dewey's thought. They achieve impressive clarity in their account of the relations of pragmatism to constructivism as it developed in the Twentieth Century."-John Lachs, Vanderbilt University "A novel and significant collaboration by American pragmatists and German constructivists, this volume identifies, clarifies and critically develops the pragmatic-constructivist approach."-Michael Eldridge, University of North Carolina, Charlotte "An ambitious, innovative work that seeks to bring together popular culture studies with political philosophy." -William Gavin, University of Southern Maine
