How Habit Shapes Freedom: Dewey's Theory of Habit and Dialogue with Erich Fromm

As a central concept in John Dewey's philosophy, habit plays a crucial role in realizing individual freedom and advancing social progress. Traditional perspectives often reduce habit to a mechanism for shaping individual behavior, overlooking its deeper significance within Dewey's theoretical system. Dewey's theory of habit addresses a key issue in modern pluralistic societies: how can public order be established without compromising individual freedom in a pluralistic modern society? In Dewey's view, habit not only embodies accumulated individual experience but also forms the foundation of social norms, serving as a vital intermediary between human nature and public life. Building on this framework, this paper introduces Erich Fromm's critical perspective on the "escape from freedom" to further examine the tension and unity between habit and freedom. Through a comparative dialogue between Dewey and Fromm, it becomes evident that habit can be both a pathway to freedom and a potential force of repression, limiting critical awareness and creativity. In the field of education, this duality implies a need to cultivate reflective habits that enhance students' agency and autonomy, while remaining vigilant against the constraining effects of habitual behaviors. Only by balancing these dimensions can we achieve a harmonious integration of individual freedom and social order.