Final answer:
John Dewey criticizes the American Founders in his work 'Liberalism and Social Action' for lacking historical sense and failing to adapt ideologies to a changing society. Dewey emphasizes pragmatism and instrumentalism, advocating for continuous reassessment and adaptation through education and informed citizenship.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Liberalism and Social Action, John Dewey criticizes the Founders because they "lacked sufficient historical sense." Dewey's critique focuses on the Enlightenment-era ideologies that influenced the American Founders, such as the natural rights philosophy of Locke, the economic liberalism of Adam Smith, and the political liberalism that influenced the American and French Revolutions. He believed that these ideologies, while progressive at the time, did not fully account for the complexities and changing dynamics of a growing and evolving society.
Philosopher William James's concept of pragmatism and Dewey's own theory of instrumentalism emphasized the importance of testing ideas through experience and the scientific method, rather than relying solely on abstract principles. Dewey's criticism suggests that the Founders failed to recognize the need for continuous reassessment and adaptation to meet the needs of an increasingly complex society. He argued that education and informed citizenry were vital for progressive reforms, reflecting his emphasis on pragmatism and scientific inquiry in social and political life.