Naturalistic and aesthetic individuality in John Dewey's political philosophy

This is a contribution to the interpretation and extension of the political philosophy of John Dewey. Dewey is well known for his view that the normativity of democracy as a political form stems from its status as a "way of life," an ideal form of community characterized by equality, participation, communication and experimentation. Yet Dewey's mature political works (1904 to 1946) are difficult to unify in this regard. This project of unification can be achieved by focusing on Dewey's fascination with the concept of individuality. In aid of developing of a "renascent" alternative to classical political liberalism, Dewey's reconstruction of individuality bases itself upon a naturalistic metaphysics of time and contingency, a critique of liberalism, as well as a pragmatist aesthetics. This comprehensive framework aids in understanding that Dewey's political thought was motivated as a reaction to a "crisis" of atomistic individualism in manifesting in American culture in related economic, legal, associational, and ideological forms. Dewey's alternative is a naturalistic individuality that emphasizes the unique perspectival bias that grows into creative input for problem situations. Equally vital is a form of social intelligence, cultivated through democratic institutions that assess contributions of individuals in the potential to increase the opportunities of all. However, Dewey finds it difficult to fully integrate these reconstructions of individuality and intelligence with a sense of freedom appropriate to industrial society. What Dewey needs are two elements external to his political work proper: first, the theme of "science as art"---that intelligent practice has the potential for consummatory experience and the reconstitution of individuals and communities; second, a democratic faith in the possibilities presented by future generations of creative individuals may, if underwritten by genuine effort toward social reconstruction, prevail over temporary instabilities in social life. The clarification of the naturalistic conditions behind a normative role for aesthetic judgment and creation in political life raises Dewey's central contributions to political philosophy in new relief.