This paper explores two philosophical treasures that we often neglect: the moral faculties of children and the pedagogic virtues of film. My thesis consists of three primary claims: (1) when properly educated, children are capable of thinking critically about ethical issues; (2) moral edification ought to have the dual aims of developing this…

R.S. Peters coined the term "paradox of moral education". In this article, the author identifies two subordinate paradoxes: how habituated reason is psychologically possible and how heteronomously formed autonomy is morally/politically possible and justifiable. He sketches possible Aristotelian solutions of those paradoxes and argues that for…

The cognitive-developmental theory of moral development of the handicapped--i.e., a stage-like progress of moral reasoning with age--is only partially confirmed. While there is a development from the less to the more mature forms of moral reasoning, that course of development is not entirely such as the theory assumes. (Author/RM)

Outlines a Vygotskian perspective on moral development. Summarizes Lev Vygotsky's ideas about the "zone of proximal development" and extends them into the domain of moral education, focusing on an extract from the film, "Boyz 'n the Hood." Shows how the zone of proximal development facilitates moral development differently from…

Describes development of theories of moral education, including those of William McGuffy, John Dewey, Jean Piaget, and Lawrence Kohlberg. Illustrates relationship of Kohlberg's stages of moral maturity to Piaget's stages of cognitive development. Notes criticisms of Kohlberg's theory, and describes alternatives including behavior modification and…

The purpose of this report is to provide a brief background on the current status on values teaching, to describe the two values education approaches most frequently appearing in recent educational literature (values clarification and cognitive development), to discuss methods of initiating values programs, to furnish examples of how schools are…

Although research on the moral development of college students is in its infancy, recent findings indicate promise for future study and institutional action. The theory of moral development is described from a cognitive developmental perspective, and research on improving thinking about justice and fairness at the college level is examined.…

Moral development is viewed as a matter of progression in the cognitive reasoning and rationale underlying choices and judgments. Traditionally, retrospective reports of rationales have been used to measure moral development levels, resulting in unreliable information. Information Integration Theory attempts to assess individual differences in…

Sources consulted in preparing this bibliography of education material related to the teaching of moral or values education include the "Bibliographie de Quebec,""British Education Index," the "Canadian Education Index," the "Cumulative Book Index," the "Current Index to Journals in Education," the "Directory of Education Studies in Canada," the…

Interest in emotional, social, and moral (ESM) concerns in K-12 education in North America has grown considerably during the past decade. This increased concern is considered a response to the increased prevalence of social problems experienced by children and youth, such as bullying, substance abuse, and depression, and to research indicating…

Described is a curriculum development effort in U.S. history--the "Reasoning with Democratic Values" series--aimed at stimulating higher-order thinking. Features of cognitive developmental psychology and of the new social studies materials are used in the lessons that ask students to examine and discuss ethical controversies. (RM)

A groundswell of interest in values education is calling educators to return to the direct and indirect teaching of positive values. Prompted by scandals in the public domain and breakdown in families, character education is gaining ground in public education. Adhering to the "bag of values" approach to moral education and drawing upon…

Argues that communication education must cultivate in teachers the capacity to respond sensitively to teaching values. Defines the responsible teacher as one who: (1) understands structure of the discipline including the relationships among communication, ethics, and morality; (2) understands students' cognitive, social, and moral development; and…

Arranged in four parts, this collection of conference papers addresses selected philosophical and social questions being faced by contemporary educators. Part 1 contains the presidential address, the subject of which is conceptions of the educated person, and a response to that address. Part 2, the general session, contains two papers which…

This work explores the grand themes and practices in the history of moral education from the earliest days of Colonial America. Chapter 1, "Moral Education in Early America," traces the nature and scope of moral education practiced by early European settlers. Chapter 2, "The Nineteenth-Century Revolution in Moral Education,"…