John Dewey's Philosophy of Education

Pitanje odgoja staro je koliko i život sâm, a njegovi elementi o kojima se promišljalo kroz povijest i danas zaokupljaju misli brojnih pedagoga, psihologa, filozofa, sociologa... Mnogo je stručnjaka različitih profila koji se bave pitanjem odgoja, no jedno se ime posebno ističe, ime uz koje se veže pojam suvremenog odgoja i reforme obrazovanja – John Dewey. Cilj ovog rada je prikazati njegovu teoriju i primjenu iste u domeni filozofije odgoja, ističući važnost odgoja kao društvene funkcije u službi civilizacijskog opstanka i napretka. Upravo je društveni i tehnološki napredak potaknuo Deweyja na ideju reforme obrazovanja, u čijem je središtu bio praktični, tj. ručni rad i eksperimentalna metoda, s ciljem postizanja ravnoteže između znanja i vještine. Značajan dio Deweyjeve filozofije odgoja posvećen je upravo školi i obrazovanju, a uz taj aspekt bit će prikazana i opća promišljanja o odgoju, njegovim ciljevima, svrsi i definiciji, školskom radu općenito kao i radu Deweyjeve eksperimentalne škole, te moralu kao značajnom odgojno-obrazovnom aspektu, sve objedinjujući pragmatičnim pristupom, stavljajući iskustvo i znanje stečeno praktičnim radom na prvo mjesto.The question of education is as old as life itself, and its elements, which have been questioned throughout history, still occupy the minds of many pedagogues, psychologists, philosophers and sociologists today. There are many different profile experts dealing with education, but one name is particulary emphasized, the name that links the notion of modern education and education reform – John Dewey. The aim of this paper is to present his theory and its application in the domain of the philosophy of education, emphasizing the importance of education as a social function in the service of civilizational survival and progress. Social and technological advancement prompted Dewey to the idea of education reform, whose center was practical, manual work and experimental method, with the aim of achieving a balance between knowledge and skills. A significant part of Dewey's philosophy of education is devoted precisely to school and education, and in this aspect will be presented general reflections on education, its goals, purpose and definition, schoolwork in general as well as the work of Dewey's Laboratory School, and morals as a significant educational aspect, all combining pragmatic approach, making experience and knowledge gained with practical work a priority