Lover of Wisdom

Came across this interesting statement in Chapter 24 of John Dewey's Democracy and Education. I have to admit, I almost didn't listen to this book. I only knew Dewey by reputation. In this chapter he writes about philosophy and education, outlining the place of philosophy in education as well as the place of education in philosophy. This phrase jumped out at me--and yes, I realize I'm taking it out of context, and a very complex context at that. Among other things Dewey says philosophy can contribute is by "showing what values are merely sentimental because there are no means for their realization." This struck me as odd because the implication is that only attainable values can rise above the rather low bar Dewey has set--of being attainable. To place value on those things that are not realizable is to function within emotion rather than reason in Santayana's sense of the term. The definition of philosopher as found in Plato as the "lovers of wisdom," suggests that the realization of wisdom is not possible, one can only strive. In Critias, Socrates admits at much.