At times, the consequences of the conjoint behavior of some persons may be such that a large public interest is generated which can be fulfilled only by laying down conditions which involve a large measure of reconstruction within that group.
Dewey notes that significant public interests may require substantial changes within groups to address collective needs.
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But in this respect he does not differ from those explicitly designated public officials who have also been known to betray the interest committed to them instead of faithfully representing it.
There is therefore no necessary connection between the private character of an act and its non-social or anti-social character.
If one wishes to realize the distance which may lie between “facts” and the meaning of facts, let one go to the field of social discussion.
They are reflections into the singular human being of customs and institutions; they are not natural, that is, “native,” organic propensities.