Richard Rorty, John Dewey, and the future of individualism

In his 1998 book Achieving our Country, Richard Rorty argues for the American left to return to a form of pragmatism personified by philosophers like John Dewey. But a close examination of the works of John Dewey reveals sharp contrasts between his philosophy and Richard Rorty's. By examining specifically John Dewey's works on inquiry, education, and society, this essay shows how Dewey's ideas about how America can be improved opposes the narrowing of focus espoused by Rorty. By using John Dewey's various lectures, articles, and essays on these topics, the essay argues that the only way for Americans to move forward as a society is to move together as a whole.