Real thinking 1 Running head: Dewey’s theory of real thinking John Dewey’s theory of real thinking, logic or inquiry and its implications for education

Dewey’s theory of real thinking involves the formation of concepts, the function of which is to control actions and perceptions. In turn, actions and perceptions function to warrant and delimit concepts. Both concepts and perceptions, mediated by action, thus function to mould each other to the point where they correspond to each other. The educational implications of this correspondence theory of real thinking are threefold, one of which specifies the problem and two of which indicate possible solutions to the problem. Since many schools fail to teach students real thinking, they are not educational institutions at all. To rectify this problem, it is necessary to streamline and decentralize the curriculum. The rectification of this problem, however, faces strong opposition because the interests of the class of employers and its ideologues stand opposed to the teaching of real thinking to children in schools.