Education for the Greater Good

In the preface to Woodford's Democracy in Music Education, he states that "Dewey's larger social and educational purpose and vision [is that] education ought to prepare students to participate in democratic society and thereby contribute to the common good" (Woodford x). This quote reminded me of the conversation we had last week in class about whether a student in choir should have to sing a certain voice part because it is for the greater good of the choir. I believe that this quote makes a reasonable argument for society and education - that rather than always doing what is in the individual's best interest, it is often times more beneficial to do what is best for the whole group or community.