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Character education seeks to
develop virtue—human excellence—as the foundation of a purposeful,
productive, and fulfilling life and a just, compassionate, and
flourishing society.
Couldn’t a bank robber strive for
human excellence and have a purposeful and productive life? In a
character education class surely we have to put into context to what end
the excellence is directed?
Character education takes
deliberate steps to cultivate moral and intellectual virtues through
every phase of school life.
Again a bank robber could be a
genius and be intellectually superior to others.
Everything that happens in the life
of the school is character education, because everything affects
character.
What about being bullied and what
about the rare instance of a teacher who belittles children? Surely
character education is not just about affecting character but about
developing good character? Everything that happens in a school does not
contribute to good character. Remember that character education does not
have to take place only in schools.
Character education is based on
the following premises.
Virtues are objectively good human
qualities—good for us whether we know it or not. Diligence, wisdom, the
pursuit of truth, justice, respect, responsibility, honesty,
unselfishness, compassion, courage, patience and perseverance always
have been and always will be virtues.
However, virtues are not always good
qualities, sometimes it is good to lie and not be tolerant. A bank
robber can be diligent and courageous and patient. The virtue itself is
neither good nor bad – it’s the end to which it is applied that makes it
so.
We can claim that virtues are
objectively good …because they promote the well-being and happiness of
the individual person, they serve the common good, making it possible
for us to live in community.
However, if I steal £1 million
(and don’t get caught) that will do a lot to promote my well-being and
happiness. Also, wouldn’t stealing a very wealthy person’s billions and
distributing that money to millions of poor people, do lots for the
common good? Also, can’t it be claimed that the rule of a
tyrannically dictator also makes it possible for people to live in
community?
Character education is a
subject/practice that has the potential to make life for individuals and
communities much more pleasant.
However, until some ambiguities are
cleared up many older students and adults will find it difficult to
accept the approach. To gain a deeper insight of going beyond list of
values or virtues, read the free e-report No. 1
What is Values
Education and so What?
Dr Bill would be delighted to
talk at your next conference or event and give more details on how
character education could be made more effective. Contact him on
bill@valueseducation.co.uk
Copyright © 2008 Values Education Ltd
Note to editors. Feel free to use this article as long as the
following details are retained. “A values education article from CAVE
www.valueseducation.co.uk
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