How did Dewey view moral ideals and goals as hypotheses for guiding action?

In John Dewey’s philosophy of instrumentalism, moral ideals and goals are not viewed as fixed, absolute ends. Instead, they function as hypotheses and means to guide the deliberative process when individuals face problematic situations.1

Dewey argued that moral inquiry is an evaluative procedure similar to scientific method. When faced with conflicting desires or troubles, one must project and test potential solutions to rectify the specific defect at hand. Consequently, an "end" is not a final, static goal but rather a process of continuous improvement, maturing, and refining. For Dewey, growth itself is the only true moral end.1

By treating ideals as hypotheses, Dewey emphasized that moral conduct requires an experimental approach where actions are evaluated based on their future consequences. This perspective aligns with his view of democracy as a "way of life," where individuals engage in collaborative, fallible, and self-corrective inquiry to address common problems and promote human flourishing.12