Art and Civilization

Quite often we hear statements about the value of the arts in society similar to Dewey's "the ultimate judgment upon the quality of civilization" (p. 339).  But Dewey tells us why, "For while it is produced and is enjoyed by individuals, those individuals are what they are in the content of their experience because of the cultures in which they participate."  So really, instead of elevating the arts to the highest and noblest achievements of the human race, they are more of a litmus test of a civilization.  I find this interesting when considering the work from the modern, post World War I era.  At times the judgment of our civilizations are not very kind, although quite accurate. 

I think this last chapter suggests to us as teachers some attitudes for improving the lives of our students.  Dewey comments on the need to change the structure of labor so that the proletariat workers can find aesthetic satisfaction in doing their jobs.  He suggest this can be accomplished when they have freedom of design and interest in the operations of production.  While I don't know that we can change the economic system to realize Dewey's vision, we can give our students these experiences, teach from them, and help our students to value forms of work with some degree of play, which allow for aesthetic fulfillment.