# VI: The Problem of Method explained — The Public and Its Problems > Chapter companion for The Public and Its Problems by John Dewey. ## What happens Dewey argues that the primary obstacle to the public's self-discovery is a flawed conception of the individual-society relationship. He critiques the notion of the individual as a spatially isolated unit, emphasizing that individuality is defined by connections and consequences. Dewey contends that intelligence is not a personal endowment but is shaped by social conditions and tools, and that the improvement of debate, discussion, and persuasion is essential for the public to emerge. He concludes that democracy must begin in face-to-face local communities, which are the foundation for genuine attachment and understanding. ## Themes in this chapter ### Critique of Atomistic Individualism Dewey deconstructs the notion of the isolated individual, arguing that individuality is defined by connections and consequences, not spatial separateness. ### The Great Society vs. The Great Community Dewey emphasizes that the Great Community must be rooted in face-to-face local associations, which are the source of genuine attachment and democratic life. ### Inquiry and Social Intelligence Dewey argues that intelligence is not innate but shaped by social conditions and tools; improving public knowledge depends on freeing inquiry and dissemination. ### The Eclipse of the Public The chapter frames the public's self-discovery as the key problem, with method and intellectual obstacles contributing to its eclipse. ## Character check-ins ### Isaac Newton Referenced as an example of how even a superior intellect is limited by the objects and tools of his time; a modern mechanic can discuss ohms and amperes as Newton could not. ### Adam Smith Mentioned indirectly in the context of the 'old Adam' as a symbol of the conceit of the commercial class that wealth is personally wrought. ## Key lines > The preliminary to fruitful discussion of social matters is that certain obstacles shall be overcome, obstacles residing in our present conceptions of the method of social inquiry. Before we can have productive social debate, we must first remove the barriers created by our current flawed ideas about how to study society. _Dewey identifies methodological misconceptions as a primary hindrance to social inquiry._ > A distinctive way of behaving in conjunction and connection with other distinctive ways of acting, not a self-enclosed way of acting, independent of everything else, is that toward which we are pointed. An individual is not a separate, isolated entity but a unique pattern of behavior that exists in relation to others. _Dewey redefines individuality in terms of relational action rather than separateness._ > The notion that intelligence is a personal endowment or personal attainment is the great conceit of the intellectual class, as that of the commercial class is that wealth is something which they personally have wrought and possess. Intellectuals mistakenly believe intelligence is an individual possession, just as business people think wealth is solely their own creation. _Dewey critiques the individualistic view of intelligence and wealth._ > Democracy must begin at home, and its home is the neighborly community. True democracy starts in the local, face-to-face interactions of everyday community life. _Dewey grounds democratic practice in local community relations._ > The essential need, in other words, is the improvement of the methods and conditions of debate, discussion and persuasion. That is the problem of the public. The core challenge for the public is to enhance how we debate, discuss, and persuade one another. _Dewey identifies the improvement of public discourse as the central task._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_public_and_its_problems_se/chapters/vi-the-problem-of-method - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_public_and_its_problems_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_public_and_its_problems_se/chapters