But history which is not brought down close to the actual scene of events leaves a gap and exercises influence upon the formation of judgments about the public interest only by guess-work about intervening events.
Dewey critiques the limitations of historical accounts that do not connect to the immediate context of events.
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In short, private acts may be socially valuable both by indirect consequences and by direct intention.
There is therefore no necessary connection between the private character of an act and its non-social or anti-social character.
Personal loyalties to elders take the place of political obedience.
But it indicates where the problem resides, whatever guise it assumes.