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Jane Addams and John Dewey
Open accessAbstract
In this chapter, the points of intellectual consonance between Jane Addams and John Dewey are explored, specifically their (1) shared belief that philosophy is a method, (2) parallel commitments to philosophical pragmatism, and (3) similar convictions that philosophy should serve to address social problems. Also highlighted are points of divergence in their thinking, particularly their positions on the United States’s entry into World War I and, more generally, the value of social conflict. Finally, the chapter concludes with what the author believes is Addams’s and Dewey’s most significant joint contribution to the contemporary philosophical landscape: a vision of practically engaged pragmatism.
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TL;DR
This chapter argues that Jane Addams and John Dewey shared a conception of philosophy as a method, a commitment to pragmatism, and a conviction that philosophy should address social problems, and that their most significant joint contribution is a vision of "publicly engaged pragmatism." It also maps their divergences, chiefly over US entry into World War I and the value of social conflict.
Key findings
- Addams and Dewey both held that philosophy is a method rather than a device for "the problems of philosophers," but unlike Descartes they saw it as a communal, practical activity; Addams stressed that the most educative situations need not involve "the college type of culture" (Addams, 1910, p. 435), while Dewey remained "an academician at heart."
- The author credits Addams with catalyzing Dewey's philosophical conversion from Hegelian absolutism to experimental pragmatism, citing Stengel's reading of Dewey's October 1894 letter to his wife ("Addams converted me internally") and Seigfried's claim that Hull House was one of two communities central to Dewey's early pragmatism.
- Three cases illustrate their shared social-reform ethics: Hull House and the settlement movement, the 1894 Pullman Strike (Addams's "A Modern Lear" compared George Pullman to King Lear; Dewey called it "one of the greatest things I have ever read"), and child labor, where both opposed industrial exploitation of children and Dewey endorsed compulsory public schooling (New York Times, 1913).
- Their sharpest divergence was WWI: Addams maintained pacifism and was heckled and portrayed as expressing "pro-German twaddle" (Joslin, 2010, p. xix), while Dewey held US entry a "necessary evil" for international democratic ends; Dewey later supported the outlawry of war movement. They also differed on social conflict—Dewey treating it as instrumentally valuable ("conflict is the gadfly of thought," 1922, p. 300), Addams denying that antagonism was necessary to appreciating truth.
Methods
This is a conceptual/historical chapter in an edited handbook, not an empirical study. It proceeds by close reading of Addams's and Dewey's published writings (e.g., "The Subjective Necessity for Social Settlements," 1893; "A Modern Lear," 1912; "The Need for a Recovery of Philosophy," 1917) and their correspondence, alongside secondary scholarship (Stengel, Seigfried, Hamington, Knight, Cochran, Pratt, Rockefeller, McKenna, Leffers). No sample, dataset, or formal analysis is reported.
Limitations
The chapter states no limitations of its own. Evident from the text: the author explicitly declines to adjudicate the contentious question of what caused Dewey's philosophical transformation ("For want of space, I will not wade into the debate," note 8), so the causal claim about Addams's influence rests on cited interpreters rather than new evidence. The author also warns against the "filtering strategy" of reading Addams through Dewey's framework, and notes scholarly disagreement over whether either figure was sufficiently radical in their reform commitments (West, 1989; Hamington, 2009b; Fischer, 2013).
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- Interpretationcitation§ The Value of Social Conflict
Dewey conceived social conflict as instrumentally valuable to inspiring fresh ideas and new paths of inquiry.
“Dewey conceived social conflict as instrumentally valuable to inspiring fresh ideas and new paths of inquiry.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 1 sources checked- cites Dewey, 1922 source
The available passages are a table of contents, including “Class conflicts” (p. 75) and “Impulse and Conflict of Habits” (p. 125), but no discussion of those topics. Searches for social conflict inspiring new ideas or inquiry returned no substantive passage, so the claim cannot be verified from our copy. (LLM, conf=0.75)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
- Findingnone given§ The Pullman Strike
Addams chastised Pullman for his overly paternalistic approach to managing the lives of his workers.
“Addams chastised Pullman for his overly pater nalistic approach to managing the lives of his workers.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim - Findingcitation§ Child Welfare
Dewey supported mandatory public schooling as an alternative to the factory work system, which damaged the health and life prospects of poor children.
“He supported mandatory public schooling as an alterna tive to the factory work system, which damaged the health and life prospects of poor chil dren.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim - Findingcitation§ Child Welfare
Dewey opposed the industrial exploitation of children.
“Dewey likewise opposed the in dustrial exploitation of children.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim - Findingcitation§ Child Welfare
In concert with local government, Addams and the settlement movement established organizations and rules to protect the welfare of children.
“In concert with local government, Addams and the settlement movement established organizations and rules (e.g., the Children's Bureau and child labor laws) to protect the welfare of children.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
- Findingcitation§ United States Entry into World War I
Randolph Bourne launched a scathing attack against Dewey, accusing the Pragmatist philosopher of hypocrisy.
“The public intellectual Randolph Bourne (1977Bourne ( [1917]]) launched a scathing attack against Dewey's, accusing the Pragma tist philosopher of hypocrisy.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Bourne, 1977 [1917] source
- Interpretationnone given§ Abstract
Addams and Dewey diverged on the value of social conflict.
“more generally, the value of social conflict”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim - Interpretationnone given§ Abstract
Addams and Dewey diverged on the United States's entry into World War I.
“their positions on the United States's entry into World War I”
- Also stated in: § Points of Divergence · plain
“Where the points of divergence are more noticeable is with respect to their positions on issues of the day-for instance, US entry into the First World War”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Also stated in: § Points of Divergence · plain
- Interpretationreasoning§ Philosophy as a Method
Unlike Descartes, Addams and Dewey appreciated the philosophical method for its ability to directly impact individual and collective lives, enriching intellectual and practical endeavors.
“Unlike their predecessor, though, they appreciated the philosophical method for its ability to directly impact our individual and collective lives, enriching both intellectual and practical endeavors.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationcitation§ Fellow Pragmatists
At the turn of the century, Dewey underwent a conversion from Hegelian idealism to experimental Pragmatism.
“At the turn of the century, Dewey embarked on a period of philosophical transition, under going a conversion from Hegelian idealism to experimental Pragmatism.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim - Interpretationreasoning§ What distinguishes Addams and Dewey from
Addams viewed scholastic pursuits as too fixated upon thought and preparation for life, and not sufficiently adapted to action and the effectuation of social change.
“Unlike Dewey, Addams viewed scholastic pursuits as too fixated upon thought and preparation for life, and not sufficiently adapted to action and the effectuation of so cial change.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationnone given§ Abstract
Addams and Dewey had similar convictions that philosophy should serve to address social problems.
“similar convictions that phi losophy should serve to address social problems”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationnone given§ Abstract
Addams and Dewey had parallel commitments to philosophical pragmatism.
“parallel commitments to philosophical pragmatism”
- Also stated in: § Fellow Pragmatists · plain
“Addams and Dewey were both budding Pragmatists.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Also stated in: § Fellow Pragmatists · plain
- Interpretationreasoning§ What distinguishes Addams and Dewey from
Addams and Dewey's differences are mostly confined to details, owing to distinct backgrounds, occupations, and situated knowledge.
“So, while the thinking of Addams and Dewey parts ways on a few issues, their differences are mostly confined to the details, owing to distinct shades of contrast in their back grounds, occupations, and, of course, their situated knowledge in a time when men and women were expected to pursue separate careers and life paths.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationreasoning§ Abstract
Addams and Dewey shared the belief that philosophy is a method.
“specifically their (1) shared belief that philosophy is a method”
- Also stated in: § Philosophy as a Method · plain
“Similar to the 17th-century French philosopher René Descartes, Addams and Dewey be lieved that philosophy is a method.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Also stated in: § Philosophy as a Method · plain
- Interpretationcitation§ Stengel (2007) bases her position on two letters
Both Addams and Dewey were intellectually entangled as early as 1892.
“Regardless of the exact direction of influence, both Addams and Dewey were intellectually entangled as early as 1892.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim - Interpretationcitation§ Fellow Pragmatists
The change in Dewey's philosophical allegiances from absolutism to experimentalism, from Hegelianism to Pragmatism, was the result of Addams's influence.
“The change in Dewey's philosophical allegiances, from absolutism to experimentalism, from Hegelianism to Prag matism, was therefore the result of Addams's influence.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Stengel, 2007
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
- Interpretationreasoning§ Toward a Vision of Publicly Engaged Pragma tism
Despite their divergent views on the value of social conflict, what Addams and Dewey shared was a unique understanding of the philosophical method.
“Despite their divergent views on the value of social conflict, what Addams and Dewey shared was a unique understanding of the philosophical method.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationreasoning§ Toward a Vision of Publicly Engaged Pragma tism
For Addams and Dewey, the method of philosophy involved immersing oneself in public issues and political controversies, engaging in debates of the day and applying ideas to experience in order to improve existing social conditions.
“For them, the method of philosophy involved immersing oneself in public issues and political controversies, engaging in debates of the day and applying ideas to experience in order to improve existing social conditions.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationreasoning§ The Value of Social Conflict
Dewey, more than Addams, insisted that pluralistic conflict was a sociological fact.
“though Dewey, more than Addams, insisted that the former was a sociological fact.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationreasoning§ Toward a Vision of Publicly Engaged Pragma tism
Public philosophy as currently performed in mass culture-specifically, the popularization of philosophical ideas for wider consumption-does not quite capture the philosophical practice of Addams and Dewey.
“However, public philoso phy as it is currently performed in mass culture-specifically, the popularization of philo sophical ideas for wider consumption-does not quite capture the philosophical practice of Addams and Dewey.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationreasoning§ Toward a Vision of Publicly Engaged Pragma tism
In Addams's and Dewey's hands, philosophy was no longer a solitary, intellectual endeavor, or a Cartesian search for clear and distinct ideas.
“In their hands, philosophy was no longer a solitary, intellectual endeavor, or a Cartesian search for clear and distinct ideas.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Premisecitation§ Toward a Vision of Publicly Engaged Pragma tism
Addams inspired Dewey's conversion to democratic humanism and experimental pragmatism through her own examples of public, practical, and engaged activism.
“As Stengel persua sively argues, Addams inspired Dewey's conversion to democratic humanism and experi mental pragmatism through her own examples of public, practical, and engaged activism.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Stengel
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
- Interpretationcitation§ United States Entry into World War I
Dewey believed that US entry into World War I was a necessary evil.
“Dewey, in contrast to Addams, believed that US entry into the war was a necessary evil.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationcitation§ United States Entry into World War I
On the occasion of Dewey's seventieth birthday, Addams's toast to Dewey acknowledges that their differences on the war was a learning experience for both.
“On the occasion of Dewey's seventieth birthday, Addams's toast to Dewey acknowledges that their differences on the war was a learning experience for both:”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Addams, 2002
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
- Interpretationreasoning§ The Hull House Settlement
In the absence of genuine social democracy, Chicago became a balkanized city divided along socioeconomic, racial, and ethnic lines.
“In the absence of genuine social democracy, Chicago became a balkanized city, its communities and neighborhoods divided along socioeconomic, racial, and ethnic lines.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim - Interpretationcitation§ Social Reform Ethics
Three cases-Hull House, the Pullman strike, and child labor practices-illustrate Addams and Dewey's shared devotion to democratic meliorism and social inquiry.
“While Addams and Dewey's levels of commitment to social reform were not identical-and some even note, insufficiently radical 12 -these three cases illustrate their shared devotion to democratic meliorism (i.e., hope for contin ual improvement for the prospects of people across the social spectrum) and social in quiry (i.e., cooperative effort to solve problems of public concern and distribute gain”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Westbrook, 1991
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
- Interpretationreasoning§ United States Entry into World War I
Their differing positions on US entry into the First World War suggested a deeper disagreement about the value of social conflict.
“Their differing positions on US entry into the First World War also suggested a deeper disagreement about the value of social conflict.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationnone given§ Social Reform Ethics
Addams and Dewey integrated their vision of right or ethical action with a practical goal to enact far-reaching social reforms.
“Addams and Dewey integrated their vision of right or ethical action with a practical goal to enact far-reaching social reforms.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationreasoning§ The Value of Social Conflict
On Addams's account, pluralistic conflict lacked social worth.
“On Addams's account, pluralistic conflict lacked social worth.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationcitation§ Toward a Vision of Publicly Engaged Pragma tism
Addams and Dewey's pragmatism begins and ends with worldly engagement.
“Their pragmatism begins and ends with worldly engage ment.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationcitation§ Points of Divergence
The orthodox interpretation that Addams's reformist and practical impulse can be sharply distinguished from Dewey's academic and theoretical focus is in all likelihood an oversimplification.
“According to the orthodox interpretation of the two figures' differences, the reformist and practical impulse of Addams can be sharply distinguished from the academic and theoretical focus of Dewey.14 However, this account is in all likelihood an oversimplification, since, as Stengel ( 2007) notes, Dewey's philo sophical transformation benefited immensely from Addams's influence, both as a practi”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Stengel, 2007
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
- Interpretationnone given§ The Value of Social Conflict
Addams did not share Dewey's view that social conflict was an inevitable and valuable feature of social life.
“Addams did not share Dewey's view that social conflict was an inevitable and valuable feature of social life.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim - Interpretationreasoning§ Fellow Pragmatists
Dewey naturalized the philosophical method so that it became a tool of scientific inquiry and practical reform.
“He naturalized the philosophical method, so that it became a tool of scientific inquiry and practical reform.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationreasoning§ Toward a Vision of Publicly Engaged Pragma tism
Addams and Dewey's understanding of the philosophical method was more public, practical, and engaged than had been witnessed among fellow pragmatists.
“Indeed, it was more pub lic, practical, and engaged than had been witnessed among fellow pragmatists.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationreasoning§ The Value of Social Conflict
Addams's and Dewey's differing views concerning the value of social conflict could explain why Addams, on some social issues of the day (e.g., US entry into WWI), took a decidedly more pacifistic stance than Dewey.
“Although on its face Addams's and Dewey's differing views concerning the value of social conflict might appear trivial or semantic, they could explain why Addams, on some social issues of the day (e.g., US entry into WWI), took a decidedly more pacifistic stance than Dewey.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationnone given§ The Pullman Strike
During the Pullman Strike, both Addams and Dewey set aside their personal troubles to show sympathy toward the industrial workers.
“Both set aside their personal troubles to show sympathy toward the industrial workers.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationnone given§ Points of Divergence
Although they might have been soulmates, Addams and Dewey's practical and philosophical commitments did not always align.
“Although they might have been soulmates, Addams and Dewey's practical and philosophi cal commitments did not always align.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationcitation§ The Value of Social Conflict
In an 1894 letter to his wife, Dewey distinguished his view of social conflict from Addams's.
“In Dewey's 1894 letter to his wife, describing his first encounter with Addams, Dewey distinguished his view of social conflict from Addams's.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
- It may state two separate claims as one. 18
- Probably not a substantial claim. 23
It may state two separate claims as one.
Findingreasoning§ AbstractAddams and Dewey were contemporaries, collaborators, and friends.
“Jane Addams and John Dewey were contemporaries, collaborators, and friends.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimIt may state two separate claims as one.
Findingnone given§ The Pullman StrikeAlthough Addams was more directly involved in the Pullman Strike than Dewey, both reacted similarly to the 1894 uprising of industrial workers in southern Chicago.
“Although Addams was more directly involved in the Pullman Strike than Dewey, both re acted similarly to the 1894 uprising of industrial workers in southern Chicago.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimIt may state two separate claims as one.
Findingreasoning§ United States Entry into World War IAddams, the pacifist, argued against US involvement in World War I and suffered public scorn as a result.
“Addams, the pacifist, argued against US involvement, and suffered public scorn as a result.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimIt may state two separate claims as one.
Findingcitation§ United States Entry into World War IAlthough Addams and Dewey never publicly debated the issue of American entry into WWI, Dewey suffered at the hands of his critics too.
“Although Addams and Dewey never publicly debated the issue of American entry into WWI, Dewey suffered at the hands of his critics too.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.
Findingnone given§ The Hull House SettlementHull House was led by Addams and later served by Dewey, who was on its board and gave regular talks to its philosophy club.
“The settlement in Chicago was, of course, Hull House, led by Addams, and later served by Dewey, who was on its board and gave regular talks to its philosophy club.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimIt may state two separate claims as one.
Interpretationcitation§ Intellectual EntanglementWhile Addams provided the raw data of her experience working with Chicago's vulnerable populations at Hull House, Dewey contributed the tools of analysis, specifically his pragmatist method largely inspired by Addams's example.
“While Addams provided the raw data-namely, her experience working with Chicago's vulnerable populations at Hull House-Dewey contributed the tools of analysis, specifically his newfound pragma tist method, which was largely inspired by Addams's example.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimIt may state two separate claims as one.
Interpretationcitation§ Stengel (2007) bases her position on two lettersAddams and Dewey shared commitments to social democracy, economic justice, industrial peace, secular humanism, and philosophical pragmatism.
“They shared commitments to social democracy, economic justice, industrial peace, secular humanism, and-as we will see in the next sec tion-philosophical pragmatism.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimProbably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. The paper may give no reason why it holds. It may state two separate claims as one.
Interpretationnone given§ Intellectual EntanglementAt around the turn of the century, Dewey shed his Christian identity and embraced democratic humanism.
“At around the turn of the century, he shed his Christian identity and embraced democrat ic humanism.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim. It may be too vague to check against evidence. The paper may give no reason why it holds.
Interpretationnone given§ AbstractAddams's and Dewey's most significant joint contribution to the contemporary philosophical landscape is a vision of practically engaged pragmatism.
“the chapter con cludes with what the author believes is Addams's and Dewey's most significant joint con tribution to the contemporary philosophical landscape: a vision of practically engaged pragmatism.”
- Also stated in: § Abstract · plain
“The chapter concludes with an argument that Addams's and Dewey's most significant joint contribution to the contemporary philosophical landscape is a vision of practically engaged pragmatism.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim- Also stated in: § Abstract · plain
It may state two separate claims as one.
Interpretationcitation§ Intellectual EntanglementIt is possible to trace some direct influences from Dewey to Addams, and vice versa.
“Nevertheless, it is possible to trace some direct influences from Dewey to Addams, and vice versa.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimProbably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.
Interpretationcitation§ United States Entry into World War IAccording to Bourne, democratic ends no longer require only democratic means for their realization.
“According to Bourne, democratic ends no longer require only democratic means for their realization.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Bourne, 1977 [1917] source
It may state two separate claims as one.
Interpretationreasoning§ The Value of Social ConflictNeither Addams nor Dewey endorsed acrimony.
“Neither Addams nor Dewey endorsed the latter”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.
Interpretationnone given§ United States Entry into World War IPacifism is perfectly compatible with patriotism.
“Pacifism is instead per fectly compatible with patriotism.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim.
Interpretationnone given§ The Value of Social ConflictFor Addams, unity and harmony are the only valuable social states toward which all groups, institutions, and communities should aspire and progress.
“For her, unity and harmony are the only valuable social states toward which all groups, insti tutions, and communities should aspire and progress.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimIt may state two separate claims as one.
Interpretationreasoning§ Fellow PragmatistsDewey operationalized Hegelian concepts and objects as instruments and objectives of inquiry, scientized dialectical reasoning, and biologized the absolute into the unity of all experience.
“In transitioning from absolutism to experimentalism, Dewey operationalized Hegelian concepts and objects as instruments and objectives of inquiry; scientized dialectical reasoning, making it the process of experi mental inquiry; and biologized the absolute into the unity of all experience.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimIt may state two separate claims as one.
Interpretationnone given§ Child WelfareAddams saw city government and regulation as a vehicle for social justice, a mechanism to reform deplorable child labor practices.
“Addams saw city government and regulation as a vehicle for social justice, a mechanism to reform these deplorable practices.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim. It may be too vague to check against evidence.
Interpretationreasoning§ Toward a Vision of Publicly Engaged Pragma tismThe purpose of publicly engaged pragmatism is not to theorize from an armchair, but to engage actual social problems as a member of a community of inquiry.
“The purpose of publicly engaged pragmatism is not to theorize from an armchair, but to engage actual social problems as a member of a community of inquiry.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.
Interpretationnone given§ The Hull House SettlementThe idea was to integrate Hull House into the wider community rather than isolate it.
“Rather than isolate Hull House, the idea was to inte grate it into the wider community.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim.
Interpretationreasoning§ The Hull House SettlementAddams, Dewey, and other Chicago settlement reformers aimed to foster interaction between segregated communities through philanthropic projects aimed at uplifting the poor and marginalized.
“They aimed to foster interaction between segregated communi ties, especially through philanthropic projects aimed at uplifting the poor and marginal ized.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimProbably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. The paper may give no reason why it holds.
Interpretationnone given§ Child WelfareAnother way Addams and Dewey demonstrated the caring response was in how they reacted to the exploitation of children.
“Another way in which Addams and Dewey demonstrated the caring response was in how they reacted to the exploitation of children.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim. The paper may give no reason why it holds.
Interpretationnone given§ The Hull House SettlementThe purpose of Addams, Dewey, and other Chicago settlement reformers was to disrupt the status quo.
“The purpose of Addams, Dewey, and other Chicago settlement reformers, then, was to disrupt the status quo.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. The paper may give no reason why it holds. It may state two separate claims as one.
Interpretationnone given§ United States Entry into World War ILater Dewey would realize the error of his ways and support the outlawry of war movement.
“Later Dewey would realize the error of his ways and support the out lawry of war movement.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. The paper may give no reason why it holds. It may state two separate claims as one.
Interpretationnone given§ Notes:Dewey wrote Addams a letter to apologize for his disagreeable tone and to admit that she was right in her own way.
“To his cred it, Dewey wrote Addams a letter to apologize for his disagreeable tone and to admit that she was right in her own way.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.
Interpretationnone given§ The Hull House SettlementHull House was the realization of an ideal that emerged from the lived experience of Addams and Dewey.
“Hull House was the realization of an ideal that emerged from the lived experience of Ad dams and Dewey, two of Chicago's public figures and social reformers devoted to healing a community that had long been divided by social enmity, economic injustice, and indus trial strife.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim.
Interpretationreasoning§ The Value of Social ConflictFor Dewey, social conflict possesses a functional value insofar as it generates rupture between the ideal and the real-between what ought to be and what is the case.
“In contrast, for Dewey, social con flict possesses a functional value insofar as it generates rupture between the ideal and the real-between what ought to be and what is the case.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimProbably not a substantial claim. It may be too vague to check against evidence.
Interpretationreasoning§ The Hull House SettlementOnly dedicated reform and integration of divided communities could produce genuine social change.
“In a viciously circular way, the status quo served to justify it self; only dedicated reform and integration of these divided communities could produce genuine social change.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim. The authors may not put it forward as true. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.
Interpretationnone given§ United States Entry into World War IAmerican involvement in World War I was crucial to secure long-lasting global harmony.
“American involvement was crucial to secure long-lasting global harmony.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.
Interpretationcitation§ The Pullman StrikeSlow, lateral change occurs when the enlightened leader brings her followers along with her, rather than forces them to follow her and to trust in her purportedly superior judgment.
“Slow, lateral change occurs when the enlightened leader brings her followers along with her, rather than forces them to follow her and to trust in her purportedly superior judg ment.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. The paper may give no reason why it holds. It may state two separate claims as one.
Interpretationnone given§ The Pullman StrikeAddams tried to mediate the Pullman strike and was rebuffed by Chicago's elites, likely owing to her gender.
“Addams tried to mediate the strike and, likely owing to her gender, was rebuffed by Chicago's elites.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim.
Interpretationnone given§ The Value of Social ConflictIn the process of inquiry, a felt difficulty, problem, or conflict disturbs an initially unified and harmonious state, initiating a process of problem-solving aimed at resolving the conflict and restoring unity.
“In the process of inquiry, a felt difficulty, problem, or conflict disturbs an initially unified and harmonious state, initiating a process of problem-solving aimed at resolving the conflict and restoring unity.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimIt may state two separate claims as one.
Interpretationreasoning§ The Hull House SettlementDewey shared Addams's democratic conviction and devoted his time to advancing the Hull House project.
“Dewey shared this democratic conviction and devoted his time to advancing the project.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim. It may state two separate claims as one.
Interpretationcitation§ United States Entry into World War IJane Addams maintained a pacifist stance; democracy as a way of life could not be realized through such means.
“Jane Addams, in the face of harsh public criticism … maintained a pacifist stance; democracy as a way of life could not be realized through such means.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Cochran, 2017 source
Probably not a substantial claim. It may state two separate claims as one.
Interpretationcitation§ United States Entry into World War IFor Dewey, US participation in World War I was needed to defeat Germany and move to public control of transnational interests and world organization; war was a necessary means to international democratic ends.
“For Dewey, US participation was needed to defeat Germany and move to the impor tant business of public control of transnational interests and world organization; war was a necessary means to international democratic ends.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Cochran, 2017 source
Probably not a substantial claim. It may be too vague to check against evidence.
Interpretationreasoning§ Toward a Vision of Publicly Engaged Pragma tismThe ultimate value of pragmatism as a philosophical method is tested in the crucible of public, practical, and engaged experience.
“In other words, the ultimate value of pragmatism as a philosophical method is tested in the cru cible of public, practical, and engaged experience.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
Citations
Cites
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Ayres, C. E., & Dewey, J. (1922) · The Journal of Philosophy · doi:10.2307/2939506 · Cited by 1,271
Meditations on First Philosophy
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John Dewey and American democracy
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The Public and Its Problems: An Essay in Political Inquiry
Dewey, J., & Rogers, M. L. (2016) · University of Michigan Library Repository · Cited by 705
Dolson, G. N., & Addams, J. (1902) · The Philosophical Review · doi:10.2307/2177042 · Cited by 673
Patton, J., Addams, J., & Franklin, B., V (1961) · College Composition and Communication · doi:10.2307/354240 · Cited by 616
Bloch, H. A., & Sozialforschung, I. F. (1936) · Zeitschrift für Sozialforschung · doi:10.5840/zfs193651144 · Cited by 610
The American Evasion of Philosophy: A Genealogy of Pragmatism
West, C. (2012) · Project Muse (Johns Hopkins University) · Cited by 551
Human nature and conduct: An introduction to social psychology.
Dewey, J. (1922) · doi:10.1037/14663-000 · Cited by 464
Brandom, R. B. (2011) · Harvard University Press eBooks · doi:10.2307/j.ctv1nzfgwd · Cited by 268
John Dewey: religious faith and democratic humanism
(1992) · Choice Reviews Online · doi:10.5860/choice.29-3834 · Cited by 217
Addams, J. (1902) · AJN American Journal of Nursing · doi:10.2307/3401957 · Cited by 212
Jane Addams and the Men of the Chicago School, 1892-1918.
Lengermann, P. M., & Deegan, M. J. (1989) · Contemporary Sociology A Journal of Reviews · doi:10.2307/2073114 · Cited by 187
Dewey’s Empirical Theory of Knowledge and Reality
Flamm, M. C., & Society for the Advancement of American Philosophy (2000) · Newsletter of the Society for the Advancement of American Philosophy · doi:10.5840/saap200028866 · Cited by 155
The Reflex Arc Concept In Psychology
Christison (1897) · The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease · doi:10.1097/00005053-189703000-00012 · Cited by 153
Native pragmatism: rethinking the roots of American philosophy
(2002) · Choice Reviews Online · doi:10.5860/choice.40-1466 · Cited by 151
Pragmatism: A Guide for the Perplexed
Talisse, R. B., & Aikin, S. F. (2008) · Cited by 121
THE “PERMANENT DEPOSIT” OF HEGELIAN THOUGHT IN DEWEY’S THEORY OF INQUIRY
Garrison, J. (2006) · Educational Theory · doi:10.1111/j.1741-5446.2006.00001.x · Cited by 113
Socializing Democracy: Jane Addams and John Dewey
Seigfried, C. H. (1999) · Philosophy of the Social Sciences · doi:10.1177/004839319902900203 · Cited by 109
The social philosophy of Jane Addams
(2010) · Choice Reviews Online · doi:10.5860/choice.47-4943 · Cited by 83
American Heroine: The Life and Legend of Jane Addams
Hamby, A. L. (1973) · History Reviews of New Books · doi:10.1080/03612759.1973.9947113 · Cited by 83
The social thought of Jane Addams
Addams, J., & Lasch, C. (1965) · Cited by 77
A Search for Unity in Diversity: The "Permanent Hegelian Deposit" in the Philosophy of John Dewey
Dalton, T. C. (2006) · Journal of American History · doi:10.2307/4486502 · Cited by 61
Pragmatists Jane Addams and John Dewey Inform the Ethic of Care
Leffers, M. R. (1993) · Hypatia · doi:10.1111/j.1527-2001.1993.tb00091.x · Cited by 51
Problems of Municipal Administration
Addams, J. (1905) · American Journal of Sociology · doi:10.1086/211316 · Cited by 36
Pragmatism's advantage: American and European philosophy at the end of the twentieth century
(2010) · Choice Reviews Online · doi:10.5860/choice.48-0194 · Cited by 30
In Defense of Democracy as a Way of Life: A Reply to Talisse's Pluralist Objection
Ralston, S. J. (2008) · Project Muse (Johns Hopkins University) · Cited by 27
Self-citationWar and the Intellectuals: Bourne, Dewey, and the Fate of Pragmatism
Livingston, J. (2003) · The Journal of the Gilded Age and Progressive Era · doi:10.1017/s1537781400000529 · Cited by 25
Citizen: Jane Addams and the Struggle for Democracy
Flanagan, M. A. (2006) · Journal of American History · doi:10.2307/4486315 · Cited by 24
Can Pragmatists be Institutionalists? John Dewey Joins the Non-ideal/Ideal Theory Debate
Ralston, S. J. (2010) · Human Studies · doi:10.1007/s10746-010-9138-9 · Cited by 24
Self-citationDewey and the Reflex Arc: The Limits of James's Influence
Backe, A. (1999) · Transactions of the Charles S Peirce Society · Cited by 21
Public Pragmatism: Jane Addams and Ida B. Wells on Lynching
Hamington, M. (2005) · The Journal of Speculative Philosophy · doi:10.1353/jsp.2005.0010 · Cited by 20
John Dewey in World War I: Patriotism and International Progressivism
Cywar, A. (1969) · American Quarterly · doi:10.2307/2711935 · Cited by 19
THE “KINGDOM OF GOD ON EARTH” AND EARLY CHICAGO PRAGMATISM
Tröhler, D. (2006) · Educational Theory · doi:10.1111/j.1741-5446.2006.00005.x · Cited by 18
The Hegelian Legacy in Dewey's Social and Political Philosophy, 1915––1920
Midtgarden (2011) · Transactions of the Charles S Peirce Society · doi:10.2979/trancharpeirsoc.47.4.361 · Cited by 18
Reconstructing Dewey: Dialectics and Democratic Education
Jackson, J. (2012) · Education and Culture · doi:10.1353/eac.2012.0004 · Cited by 17
4 Pragmatism, Peacekeeping, and the Constabulary Force
Ralston, S. J. (2013) · Lexington Books · doi:10.5771/9780739183779-87 · Cited by 16
Self-citationPhilosophical pragmatism and international relations : essays for a bold new world
Ralston, S. J. (2013) · Lexington Books · Cited by 13
Self-citationDewey's hegelianism reconsidered: Reclaiming the lost soul of psychology
Dalton, T. C. (1997) · New Ideas in Psychology · doi:10.1016/s0732-118x(97)00002-0 · Cited by 12
Morse, D. J. (2011) · Fordham University Press eBooks · doi:10.1353/book.14717 · Cited by 12
Shields, P. M. (2012) · Cited by 9
Adjectival and Generic Pragmatism: Problems and Possibilities
Eldridge, M. D. (2009) · Human Affairs · doi:10.2478/v10023-009-0015-y · Cited by 9
The “Newer Ideals” of Jane Addams’s Progressivism: A Realistic Utopia of Cosmopolitan Justice
Cochran, M. (2017) · Progressivism and US Foreign Policy between the World Wars · doi:10.1057/978-1-137-58432-8_7 · Cited by 9
Hamington, M. (2009) · The Journal of Speculative Philosophy · doi:10.2307/20721553 · Cited by 8
Dewey's Pragmatic Poet: Reconstructing Jane Addams's Philosophical Impact
STENGEL, B. S. (2008) · Education and Culture · doi:10.1353/eac.0.0008 · Cited by 7
John Dewey's Great Debates–Reconstructed
Bruce, B. C. (2013) · Education and Culture · doi:10.1353/eac.2013.0014 · Cited by 6
Jane Addams: Public Philosopher, and Practicing, Feminist Pragmatist
Shields, P. M. (2017) · Pioneers in arts, humanities, science, engineering, practice · doi:10.1007/978-3-319-50646-3_2 · Cited by 5
(1977) · The Radical Will · doi:10.1525/9780520340589-038 · Cited by 4
Building the Fabric of Peace: Jane Addams and Peaceweaving
Shields, P. M. (2016) · Cited by 3
Hollowing Out the Dewey-Lippmann DebatePreprint
Ralston, S. J. (2009) · SSRN Electronic Journal · doi:10.2139/ssrn.1503570 · Cited by 2
Self-citationCommon Ground With A Common Faith: Dewey’s Idea of the “Religious”
Baurain, B. (2011) · Education and Culture · doi:10.1353/eac.2011.0014
Dewey, Women, and Weirdoes: or, the Potential Rewards for Scholars who Dialogue across Difference
Cunningham, C. A., Granger, D., Morse, J. F., Stengel, B., & Wilson, T. (2008) · Education and Culture · doi:10.1353/eac.0.0002
The Education of John Dewey: A Biography
Martin, J. (2003) · doi:10.7312/mart11676
Public Pragmatism: Jane Addams and Ida B. Wells on Lynching
HAMINGTON, M. (2005) · The Journal of Speculative Philosophy · doi:10.2307/25670563
Flagged first, then by citations
Research works printed but not linked: 30
- Addams, Jane. (2002 [1929]). A toast to John Dewey. In C. H. Seigfried (Ed.), Feminist Interpretations of John Dewey (pp. 25–30). Penn State University Press.
- 1912, A modern Lear., Survey
- The college woman and Christianity., The Independent
- Addams, Jane. (1893). The subjective necessity for social settlements. In Henry C. Adams (Ed.), Philanthropy and Social Progress (pp. 1–26). Thomas Y. Cromwell.
- Dewey, John. (2008 [1939]). Creative democracy—the task before us. In: Jo Ann Boydston (Ed.), The Collected Works of John Dewey, Later Works, 1925–1953, vol. 13: 1938–1939 (pp. 226–228). Southern Illinois University Press.
- Dewey, John. (2002a [1896]). John Dewey to Alice Chipman Dewey, letter dated January 19. In Larry A. Hickman, Barbara Levine, Anne S. Sharpe, and Harriet Furst Sion (Eds.), The Correspondence of John Dewey, 1871–1952, vol. 1: 1871–1918 (pp. 112–114). Intelex.
- Dewey, John. (2002a [1894]). John Dewey to Alice Chipman Dewey, letter dated October 10. In: Larry A. Hickman, Barbara Levine, Anne S. Sharpe, and Harriet Furst Sion (Eds.), The correspondence of John Dewey, 1871–1952, vol. 1: 1871–1918 (pp. 114–116). Intelex.
- Dewey, John. (2002b [1894]). John Dewey to Alice Chipman Dewey, letter dated July 2. In: Larry A. Hickman, Barbara Levine, Anne S. Sharpe, and Harriet Furst Sion (Eds.), The correspondence of John Dewey, 1871–1952, vol. 1: 1871–1918 (pp. 120–123). Intelex.
- Dewey, John. (1978 [1917]). The need for a recovery of philosophy. In: Jo Ann Boydston (Ed.), The collected works of John Dewey, middle works, 1899–1924, vol. 10: 1916–1917 (pp. 3–48). Southern Illinois University Press,
- Dewey, John. (1971[1893]). Christianity and democracy. In: Jo Ann Boydston (Ed.), The collected works of John Dewey, early works, 1893–1894, vol. 1: 1893–1894 (pp. 5–9). Southern Illinois University Press.
- Dewey, John. (1969[1889]). The lessons of contemporary French literature. In Jo Ann Boydston (Ed.), The collected works of John Dewey, early works, 1893–1894, vol. 3: 1889–189 (pp. 36–42). Southern Illinois University Press.
- Dewey, John. (1930). From absolutism to experimentalism. In: George P. Adams and Wm. Pepperell Montague (Eds.), Contemporary American philosophy: Personal statements (pp. 13–27). Russell & Russell.
- Child labor law has aided schools; Prof. John Dewey of Columbia says much more should be done for young workers; Plea for dull children: They most of all need vocational training; -Praise Henry Street Settlement., New York Times
- 1967, Beloved lady: A history of Jane Addams’s ideas on reform and peace
- 2013, Reading Dewey’s political philosophy through Addams’s compromises., American Catholic Philosophical Quarterly
- 2019, John Dewey: Portrait of a progressive thinker., Humanities
- 1969, Prolegomena to ethics.
- 1910, The phenomenology of mind
- Joslin, Katherine. (2010). Introduction. In Jane Addams, Peace and bread in time of war (pp. ix–xxii). University of Illinois Press.
- 1997, Biography’s window on social change: Benevolence and justice in Addams’s “A Modern Lear., Journal of Women’s History
- 2000, Jane Addams: A biography
- 1925, The phantom public
- 1922, Public opinion
- 2003, The education of John Dewey
- McKenna, Erin. (2002). The need for a pragmatist feminist self. In C. H. Seigfried (Ed.), Feminist interpretations of John Dewey (pp. 133–159). Penn State University Press.
- 2002, Keeping the conversation going: Jane Addams’s rhetorical strategies in “A Modern Lear., Rhetoric Society Quarterly
- 2017, Education, expediency, and democratic dilemmas during war time: Inside the Dewey-Bourne debate., The Journal of the Gilded Age and Progressive Era
- 2005, Deliberative democracy as a matter of public spirit: Reconstructing the Dewey-Lippmann debate., Contemporary Philosophy
- 2007, Education and Culture
- 2003, The community of inquiry: Classical pragmatism and public administration., Administration & Society
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Melioristic gerontology: using pragmatism to reframe the study of aging
Cutchin, M. P., & Rowles, G. D. (2025) · The Gerontologist · doi:10.1093/geront/gnaf187 · Cited by 2
Jane Addams and the Hull-House Maps & Papers. A Knowledge-Culture Approach
Halatcheva-Trapp, M., & Poferl, A. (2024) · Kieler sozialwissenschaftliche Revue Internationales Tönnies-Forum · doi:10.3224/ksr.v2i1.02 · Cited by 1
Jane Addams‘ dialogischer Pragmatismus
Streicher, T. (2023) · European Journal of Pragmatism and American Philosophy · doi:10.4000/ejpap.3509 · Cited by 1
Revol, Q. (2025) · L Homme et la société · doi:10.3917/lhs.220.0155
The Chicago Connection: Dewey, Addams, Schwab, and Jackson
Craig, C. J., Kelley, M., & Curtis, G. A. (2026) · Emerald Group Publishing Limited eBooks · doi:10.1108/978-1-80592-621-420261006
ONODERA, K. (2026) · American Political Thought · doi:10.1086/740302
Metadata
- Authors
- Ralston, S. J.
- Affiliations
- Political Science, Richard Wright College, Woolf University
- Corresponding author
- Ralston, Shane J.
- ORCID
- Ralston, Shane J.
- Venue
- The Oxford Handbook of Jane Addams
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press
- Published
- 2022-02-14
- Pages
- 169-186
- OpenAlex
- W4212894523
- Cited by
- 6
- References
- 52
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 1
- FWCI
- 11.50
- Type
- book chapter
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- philarchive.org
- Locations
- Oxford University Press eBooks (publishedVersion)
- PhilPapers (PhilPapers Foundation) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Philosophy › Pragmatism in Philosophy and Education
- Social Sciences › Education › Historical Education Studies Worldwide
- Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Philosophy › Whitehead's Philosophy and Applications
- Keywords
- Jane Addams, John Dewey, pragmatism, social philosophy, social problems, World War I, social conflict, intellectual history
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