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Thomas Alexander shows that the primary, guiding concern of Dewey's philosophy is his theory of aesthetic experience. He directly challenges those critics, most notably Stephen Pepper and Benedetto Croce, who argued that this area is the least consistent part of Dewey's thought.



The author demonstrates that the fundamental concept in Dewey's system is that of "experience" and that paradigmatic treatment of experience is to be found in Dewey's analysis of aesthetics and art. The confusions resulting from the neglect of this orientation have led to prolonged misunderstandings, eventual neglect, and unwarranted popularity for ideas at odds with the genuine thrust of Dewey's philosophical concerns. By exposing the underlying aesthetic foundations of Dewey's philosophy, Alexander aims to rectify many of these errors, generating a fruitful new interest in Dewey.

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CHOICE Review

A good introduction to Dewey for college and university students. Alexander's book has two major targets. First, he wishes to argue against those-like S. Pepper and B. Croce-who see in John Dewey's writings on aesthetics a reversion to the Hegelian idealism of his youth, and hence have seen his aesthetic views as inconsistent with his naturalism and instrumentalism. However, his second target seems even more important; Alexander (Southern Illinois University, Carbondale) wishes to counter Richard Rorty's view of Dewey as engaged in the ``deconstruction'' of the Western metaphysical tradition. The whole of this book is his indirect answer to Rorty. The main thesis is that Dewey's concept of aesthetic experience, far from being peripheral in his philosophy, is absolutely central. Furthermore, readers will not understand Dewey's conception of experience unless they appreciate how aesthetic experience is paradigmatic of the way in which any experience can be meaningful. The book constitutes both an exposition and defense of Dewey's philosophy. It includes good chapters on his move from Hegel to pragmatism and on Dewey's theory of meaning. Despite occasions on which the wooliness of Dewey penetrates the text, the style of this book is clear and vigorous.-S. Bates, Middlebury College

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Thomas M. Alexander is Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale.