Since the 1990s, education for the virtues of citizenship has become widespread in the United States and United Kingdom. It is intended to inculcate virtues such as courtesy, respect and truthfulness in school children. This essay defends education for the virtues of citizenship against two criticisms. According to the first, which might be called…

In recent years, there has been a proliferation of new research on moral thinking informed by evolutionary theory. The new findings have emanated from a wide variety of fields. While there is no shortage of theoretical models that attempt to account for specific research findings, Matthew Keefer's goals in this essay are more general. First, he…

This curriculum unit consists of various student readings and activities on the topic of prejudice. The focus is upon prejudice as it relates to various ethnic groups in North America, to anti-Semitism as a national policy in Nazi Germany, and to immigration policy. It is divided into six episodes, each of which focuses upon the teaching of a…

By omitting the private and positive dimensions of morality and focusing on a single dimension of moral experience, interpersonal value conflict, Lawrence Kohlberg's Moral Development Program presents a one-sided interpretation of ethics--one which in educational practice is likely to produce morally imbalanced students. (Author/LC)

This paper argues that the moral education approach to social studies is unsound both in its conception of learning and teaching and in its conception of politics. (Author/SJL)

Compares interview results to identify moral stages of United States and Japanese adults. Includes findings of postconventional reasoners to substantiate evidence of postconventional stages as adult stages. Reports major cultural differences in the approach to the fundamental value of human life. Suggests a need for examination of the conception…

Outlines an instructional approach for teaching moral thinking, based on considering consequences of alternative options. Discusses R. M. Hare's two-level theory of moral thinking, and cautions against relying solely on critical thinking for moral education. Suggests students must learn open-minded thinking, be aware of the consequences of their…

Nurturing morality in education is difficult. Educators, parents, and policymakers require a rich understanding of what morality is and how to nurture it. Program advocates are obligated to show that morality is appropriate in school and distinguish curricular goals from aspects of moral education that are best left to families, churches and…