To those who appreciate this fact, it is evident that the desires, aims and standards of satisfaction which the dogma of “natural” economic processes and laws assumes are themselves socially conditioned phenomena.
Dewey argues that economic desires and standards are influenced by social conditions rather than being purely natural.
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For the older symbols of ideal life still engage thought and command loyalty.
There is therefore no necessary connection between the private character of an act and its non-social or anti-social character.
But he does so only at the cost of repression of those of his potentialities which can be realized only through membership in other groups.
They are reflections into the singular human being of customs and institutions; they are not natural, that is, “native,” organic propensities.