The Philosopher and the Lecturer: John Dewey, Everett Dean Martin, and Reflective Thinking

Abstract

Adult education scholars have not yet examined the connections between the philosopher, John Dewey, and the lecturer on adult education, Everett Dean Martin. These scholars generally portray Dewey as indifferent to their field. However, Dewey\u27s correspondence with a New York newspaper editor in 1928, recommending Martin\u27s The Meaning of Liberal Education, raises interesting questions about these two men and their interest both in the meaning of adult education and in reflective thinking. For Dewey and Martin the value of education engaged in by adults was not merely voluntary participation in an activity but meaningful growth aided by reflection. This study examines the connection between these two figures and explains why Martin\u27s views may have resonated with Dewey and how they shared critical values pertaining to adult education