Dewey's New Logic: A Reply to Russell

John Dewey is celebrated for his work in the philosophy of education and acknowledged as a leading proponent of American pragmatism. His philosophy of logic, on the other hand, is largely unheard of. In Dewey's New Logic, Burke analyzes portions of the debate between Dewey and Bertrand Russell that followed the 1938 publication of Dewey's Logic: The Theory of Inquiry. Burke shows how Russell misunderstood crucial aspects of Dewey's philosophy of logic that are centrally relevant to contemporary developments in philosophy and cognitive science. Burke explores ways that logic today has progressed beyond Russell and is approaching Dewey's broader perspective.

"No scholar, thus far, has offered such a sophisticated and detailed version of central themes and contentions in Dewey's Logic. This is a pathbreaking study." --John J. McDermott, editor of The Philosophy of John Dewey

"I know of no better analysis of the conflict between Russell and Dewey on the nature of logic and its objectives. Burke's work is controversial in the best sense: it questions established views and opens up new vistas." --Sidney Ratner, Professor Emeritus, Rutgers University