The Public and Its Problems · Chapter
The Public and Its Problems explained
Dewey explores the concept of the public, its formation, and its challenges in modern society, emphasizing the need for a great community to overcome the eclipse of the public.
What happens
Dewey explores the concept of the public, its formation, and its challenges in modern society, emphasizing the need for a great community to overcome the eclipse of the public.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book.
- Setup
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
The emotional and psychological peak occurs in Dewey’s insistence that democracy is not a fixed political mech…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- The Eclipse of the Public
Dewey argues that the public has become obscured by the complexity of modern society and the dominance of private interests.
- The Great Society vs. The Great Community
The central tension between the large-scale, impersonal 'Great Society' and the need for a participatory, communicative 'Great Community.'
Characters to notice
- James Mill
Referenced in the context of classical liberal thought and the individual-society dichotomy.
- Aristotle
Mentioned in relation to the political community and the origins of democratic theory.
- Rousseau
Discussed regarding the social contract and the general will.
- John Locke
Referenced in the context of natural rights and the foundation of the state.
- Adam Smith
Mentioned in relation to economic individualism and the invisible hand.
Key passages
“The public is a political entity that arises from the indirect consequences of transactions.”
The public is formed when people recognize that their actions affect others beyond direct interaction.
Dewey's foundational definition of the public.
“The problem of the public is the problem of the formation of a public.”
The key challenge is how to create a cohesive public capable of democratic action.
Central thesis of the chapter.
