Agitation Quote by John Dewey
“I believe that the community's duty to education is, therefore, its paramount moral duty. By law and punishment, by social agitation and discussion, society can regulate and form itself in a more or less haphazard and chance way. But through education society can formulate its own purposes, can organize its own means and resources, and thus shape itself with definiteness and economy in the direction in which it wishes to move.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Democracy and Education, 1916
Education empowers society to define its goals and allocate resources deliberately, rather than relying on chance or coercion.
In simple terms: Education lets society choose its path.
Key Takeaway
Use education to shape society intentionally.
Themes
education
democracy
social responsibility
purpose
planning
Mood
optimistic
reflective
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- school reform
- community planning
- policy making
- public discourse
Key Concepts
social theory
democratic theory
public policy
Questions to Reflect On
- How can education be made accessible to all?
- What limits does existing power place on educational reform?
A Different Perspective
Education alone cannot overcome entrenched power structures.
