A Search for Unity in Diversity examines the traditional readings of John Dewey's relationship to Hegel and demonstrates that Dewey's later pragmatism was a development of the historicist/humanistic Hegel, rather than a turning away from Hegelian philosophy. Good argues that Dewey drew upon resources he found in the writings of St. Louis Hegelians to fashion a non-metaphysical reading of Hegel. A Search for Unity in Diversity reasons that Hegel encouraged Dewey to understand philosophy as an exercise in individual and cultural reconstruction. Beyond exposing fatal flaws in the traditional reading of Dewey's relationship to Hegel, Good shows that Dewey's pragmatism is a development, rather than a rejection, of Hegel's philosophy. This not only explains Dewey's Hegelian deposit, it also sheds light on why recent Hegel scholars have found elements of pragmatism in Hegel's thought and provides grounds for rapprochment between American pragmatism and Continental European philosophy.

A Search for Unity in Diversity examines the traditional readings of John Dewey's relationship to Hegel and demonstrates that Dewey's later pragmatism was a development of the historicist/humanistic Hegel, rather than a turning away from Hegelian philosophy. Good argues that Dewey drew upon resources he found in the writings of St. Louis Hegelians to fashion a non-metaphysical reading of Hegel. A Search for Unity in Diversity reasons that Hegel encouraged Dewey to understand philosophy as an exercise in individual and cultural reconstruction. Beyond exposing fatal flaws in the traditional reading of Dewey's relationship to Hegel, Good shows that Dewey's pragmatism is a development, rather than a rejection, of Hegel's philosophy. This not only explains Dewey's Hegelian deposit, it also sheds light on why recent Hegel scholars have found elements of pragmatism in Hegel's thought and provides grounds for rapprochment between American pragmatism and Continental European philosophy.

The question of how far Dewey's thought is indebted to Hegel has long been a conundrum for philosophers. This book shows that, far from repudiating Hegel, Dewey's entire pragmatic philosophy is premised on a "philosophy of spirit" inspired by Hegel's project. Two essays by Shook and Good defending this radical viewpoint are joined by the definitive text of Dewey's 1897 Lecture at the University of Chicago on Hegel's "Philosophy of Spirit." Previously cited by scholars only from the archival manuscript, this edited Lecture is now available to fully expose the basic concern shared by Hegel and Dewey for the full and free development of the individual in the social context. Dewey's and Hegel's philosophies are at the center of modern philosophy's hopes for advancing human freedom.

The question of how far Dewey's thought is indebted to Hegel has long been a conundrum for philosophers. This book shows that, far from repudiating Hegel, Dewey's entire pragmatic philosophy is premised on a "philosophy of spirit" inspired by Hegel's project. Two essays by Shook and Good defending this radical viewpoint are joined by the definitive text of Dewey's 1897 Lecture at the University of Chicago on Hegel's "Philosophy of Spirit." Previously cited by scholars only from the archival manuscript, this edited Lecture is now available to fully expose the basic concern shared by Hegel and Dewey for the full and free development of the individual in the social context. Dewey's and Hegel's philosophies are at the center of modern philosophy's hopes for advancing human freedom.