In this paper, Kate Kirkpatrick argues that the recent return to moral exemplars in exemplarist moral theory might benefit from engaging with existentialists' use of exemplars in two ways: first, by considering the role of negative exemplars and the power of emotions other than admiration in moral formation; and second, by considering objections…

Nothing was more important to Tolstoy than character development. For him, the purpose of life is to grow morally. The purpose of literature -- as all art -- is to aid that growth. Abstract philosophy and pedantic scholarship are therefore redundant. Indeed, even the psychological novel is a distraction. Moral truths are self-evident. They are…

In contrast to the Kantian principle that we are morally accountable only for those actions over which we have control, Bernard Williams, Thomas Nagel, and others have argued that luck plays a significant role in the moral life. Put briefly, moral luck is at play when we are appropriately praised or blamed for our moral actions despite the fact…

How can we understand human agency, and what does it mean to educate character? In this essay Klas Roth develops a Kantian notion, one that suggests we render ourselves efficacious and autonomous in education and elsewhere. This requires, among other things, that we are successful in bringing about the intended result through our actions and the…

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…

Moral philosophy seems well placed to claim the key role in theorizing about moral education. Indeed, moral philosophers have from antiquity had much to say about psychological and other processes of moral formation. Given this history, it may seem ironic that much systematic latter-day theorizing about moral education has been social scientific,…

Cultural pluralism and the ability of individuals to choose among and make changes in fundamental values are argued. (JMF)

Many propose an ethic of care as an alternative moral voice to justice. The article assesses the alternative by discussing the relationship between justice and caring in a successful moral life and distinguishing morally laudable caring from morally indifferent caring. It recommends blending caring and justice in one common voice. (SM)

Intrinsic (or fundamental) values and the freedom to choose among them are discussed in terms of cultural pluralism. (JMF)

The nature of skill, distinguished from habit, is sketched. Moral skill is defined as the skill, born of genetically rooted talent, which masterminds subsidiary skills into moral action (action conforming to certain moral principles). Training this skill is possible, but results will be uneven because talent varies. (IAH)

Formalistic theories of moral development enunciated by L. Kohlberg and R. M. Hare are criticized for failing to recognize that normative principles are also necessary to the development of moral reasoning abilities. (GW)

"Values and Teaching", by Raths, Harmin, and Simon (1978) is examined in the context of Dewey's approach to moral education. While the books' authors claim that their approach is practical, the relationships among such concepts as "overdissenting", "aggresssive", "overconforming", and "submissive"…

This paper speculates on conceptual problems that must be at least partially resolved before empirical or pedagogical studies on the impact of role-playing on children's moral education can be undertaken. (MM)

Examines the relationship between moral right and moral duty to be educated, discussing duty, right, education, and moral theory and suggesting that moral right and moral duty to be educated are partially independent and totally compatible with each other. Neither is superior, and both should be included in moral theory. (SM)

Examines what values and virtues schools should cultivate in students as part of a program of moral or citizenship education, noting how these values and virtues differ based on historical and political contexts. The article focuses on four recent volumes on moral and citizenship education. (SM)