In a profound sense knowing ceases to be contemplative and becomes practical. I found myself nodding my head in complete agreement and wondering why I don't ever remember hearing this sort of discussion during my school years when I was supposed to be obtaining an education. Near the end of the book, Dewey returns to his focus and main point. They are lessons in wrong methods of using intelligence and instructions as to a better course in the future. They are indications of the need of revision, development, readjustment.
Moral life is protected from falling into formalism and rigid repetition.
It is rendered flexible, vital, growing. John Dewey's philosophy has been named 'pragmatic humanism'. It encourages intelligence to study the positive means of good and the obstructions to their realization, and to put forth endeavor for the improvement of conditions. It arouses confidence and a reasonable hopefulness as optimism does not. A modern classic.