In this series of lectures, Dewey presents the metaphysics underlying
his influential views on science, ethics, education, and social reform.
His starting point is that existence is a mingling of the stable and
predictable with the shifting and hazardous. The notion of causality has
a practical basis, and science is concerned with bringing about
preconceived ends. On this basis, Dewey develops his conception of the
mind as a manifestation of social interactions, and expounds his
distinctive views on the mind-body problem, esthetics, and values in
general.