Abstract
In this paper I argue that for American Pragmatist John Dewey, freedom is better understood as a verb or gerund— "freedom-ing." A distinctive dimension of Dewey’s conception of “freedom” is that part of having freedom is the participation in the achieving of it, a continual process—in Dewey’s account, freedom is never won for good but must be constantly re-won. Persons must have the opportunity of being a part of their creative activity—directing and understanding their activity. Without freedom we stagnate, we are left with empty dictates; we do not inquire, new paths are not disclosed, we don't generate new structures of meaning.
Recommended Citation
Soester, Jessica C. "The Growing of Freedom, and the Participatory Methodology of Gardening: An Account of John Dewey’s Conception of “Freedom”." John Dewey’s Contemporary Continuities: Working Papers from the Center for Dewey Studies Essay Award 1 (Jun 2025): 109-120.