# Physical and Social Studies: Naturalism and Humanism explained — Democracy and Education

> Chapter companion for Democracy and Education by John Dewey.

## What happens

This chapter examines the historical and philosophical conflict between natural science and literary studies in education, tracing the dualism between nature and man from Greek philosophy through the Renaissance and modern science. Dewey argues for a unified curriculum that integrates natural and humanistic studies, emphasizing that experience knows no division between human concerns and the physical world. He advocates for teaching science through its social connections and everyday applications, and defines humanistic study as any study that increases concern for the values of life and social well-being.

## Themes in this chapter

### Unity of Knowledge and Action

Dewey argues for a unified scheme of education that integrates natural and humanistic studies, rejecting the dualistic separation of mind and world.

### Experience and Learning by Doing

The chapter emphasizes using ordinary experience and familiar occupations as the starting point for scientific instruction, connecting knowledge to practical life.

### Social Function of Education

Dewey stresses that any study is cultural and humane when it increases concern for social well-being and is grasped in its social connections.

## Character check-ins

### Socrates

Socrates appears as a thinker who believed science of nature was not attainable or very important, focusing instead on the nature and end of man.

### Plato

Plato is discussed as connecting knowledge of man and society to knowledge of nature, subordinating literary studies to mathematics and physics in the interest of humanistic ends.

### Aristotle

Aristotle is noted for going further in the direction of naturalistic studies, subordinating civic relations to the purely cognitive life and emphasizing participation in pure knowing.

## Key lines

> In truth, experience knows no division between human concerns and a purely mechanical physical world. Man's home is nature; his purposes and aims are dependent for execution upon natural conditions.

Experience does not separate human interests from the physical world; human aims rely on natural conditions for their realization.

_Dewey asserts the fundamental unity of human experience and nature, rejecting dualistic philosophies._

> Any study so pursued that it increases concern for the values of life, any study producing greater sensitiveness to social well-being and greater ability to promote that well-being is humane study.

A study is humane if it enhances one's concern for life's values and increases sensitivity and ability to promote social well-being.

_Dewey redefines humanistic study in terms of its social and moral impact, not its subject matter._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/democracy_and_education_se/chapters/xxi-physical-and-social-studies-naturalism-and-humanism
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/democracy_and_education_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/democracy_and_education_se/chapters