Absolute truth Quote by Mark R. Levin
““John Dewey (1859–1952), among the foremost progressive thinkers. Dewey, like Croly and Wilson, among others, claimed that progressivism was, in essence, a science-based pragmatism. Like most progressives, he also argued that there is no timeless, absolute truth since all things are subject to change and situation. Therefore, he also unremittingly condemned John Locke and the Declaration of Independence, and the idea of permanent truths, a transcendent moral order, and individual natural rights.””
About This Quote
Source Book: "The Conservative Mind", 2020
The author critiques Dewey’s progressive pragmatism, arguing it denies absolute truths and condemns traditional ideas like natural rights and a transcendent moral order.
In simple terms: Dewey’s view rejects fixed truths and traditional rights.
Key Takeaway
Question the limits of relativism.
Themes
philosophy
politics
ideology
Mood
skeptical
analytical
Type
philosophical
critical
When to use this quote
- Academic debate
- policy formation
- education curricula
Key Concepts
Progressivism
pragmatism
relativism
natural rights
Questions to Reflect On
- Is some absolute truth necessary for law?
- How to balance flexibility with core principles?
A Different Perspective
Relativism can undermine stable societal foundations.
![“In roughly the last century, important experiments have been launched by such charismatic educators as Maria Montessori, Rudolf Steiner, Shinichi Suzuki, John Dewey, and A. S. Neil. These approaches have enjoyed considerable success[...] Yet they have had relatively little impact on the mainstream…” quote by Howard Gardner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/bfa/howard-gardner-3816_approach_in-roughly-the-last-century-important-ex_2919148.jpg)
