Dewey, Democracy and Education

Language: In Cantonese

Speaker: Dr Leung Cheuk Hang

Synopsis

What is democracy? American philosopher John Dewey believes that democracy does not merely mean universal suffrage, but also a way of life which entails an experience of public life for communal growth. As such, education plays an important role in the humanities aspect. In addition to its instrumental function in transmitting professional knowledge, education should be oriented with public enlightenment activities to foster active participation of citizens in public affairs. An ideal form of democracy should be embodied in a form of reflexive social cooperation.  As civic education is being marginalized these days, reading Dewey’s Democracy and Education will enable us to understand the relationship between politics, education and community.