“Artist and perceiver alike begin with what may be called a total seizure, an inclusive qualitative whole not yet articulated, not distinguished into members.”

— John Dewey, Art as Experience (1934), p. 199

About John Dewey

1859 – 1952

American philosopher and educational reformer.

“Art is not the possession of the few who are recognized writers, painters, musicians; it is the authentic expression of any and all individuality.”

“Cease conceiving of education as mere preparation for later life, and make it the full meaning of the present life.”

“Democracy has to be born anew every generation, and education is its midwife.”

“Poetry is finer and more philosophical than history; for poetry expresses the universal, and history only the particular.”

“Great is the art of beginning, but greater the art is of ending.”

“If a man will begin with certainties, he shall end in doubts; but if he will be content to begin with doubts, he shall end in certainties.”

“There be none of Beauty's daughters with a magic like thee; and like music on the waters is thy sweet voice to me.”

“Poetry (like a grand personality) is a growth of many generations—many rare combinations.”

“But O the heavy change, now thou art gone, now thou art gone and never must return!”