What say ye? I'm less concerned with the complicated questions of life, which are arguably worth teaching on their own merit. I'm talking about basic morality.
I'd say so, yes. As you said, not on any advanced level early, we don't really want indoctrination of weird versions.
I think we take it for granted that parents teach their children the basics of morality. From my experience, all the major and respected religions and philosophies agree on some basic precepts. There is a reason why. Unfortunately, some children lack this education.
I took ethics in college but I assume you mean teaching ethics in say High School. Ethics is a broad subject, perhaps if they focused on business ethics. Once you step outside business ethics... ethics in general become subjective and controversial. Heck, even business ethics can be a hot topic.
I'd personally like to get it at a lower level, but not so in depth that we run into disagreements. It'd be nice if children knew why they're not supposed to bully people other than grown-ups chewing you out over it. I wouldn't mind if this was taught at preschool, but I guess that is an unrealistic wish.
No, I'm talking basics (which is arguably complex) Ethics in Elementary and Kindergarten. I think an understanding of primary morality would help. eg. There is a reason why the Ten Commandments have stuck around. Probably not the best example but I am drunk.
I agree. I think our young ones could use a course in ethics... the hard part is deciding what to teach on the subject. I know some schools do talk to their students about bullying... I would consider that a lesson on ethics... a good beginning perhaps.
I'd say so too. I'd leave deciding the details to those who know about education, I couldn't put together a course even in a subject I knew lots about, I would not be very well qualified to decide details around ethics education. However, my thinking is that children don't respond well to being told things they don't understand and grown ups often explain ethics using references that children don't always understand.
I hear ya, but morality is just as subjective as ethics in our PC world. Personally I like the morality of the Ten Commandments... and they could easily be reworded and taught. Our society has left the teaching of ethics and morality to the parents... but as we all know, not all parents are moral or ethical.
My proposal is to start from the elementary questions which face children and build it up. For example, kids aren't concerned about abortion nor should they be. However, as you suggested bullying is a very real problem which needs to be addressed and we can build from that to the more complex issues as they grow older. Kids should understand why right is right and wrong is wrong, too often it;s because an adult says so. Forgive me, I'm drunk.
Perhaps rather than having a separate subject it could be embedded in others. As we know from personal experience, children go through various stages of development and their learning has to accommodate those stages. Trying to develop a well-balanced, educated rather than indoctrinated child to become an adult who is capable of critical thinking and resisting indoctrination should be the goal.
Absolutely. You are spot on. I'd argue that there are some basic moral precepts that we all agree upon and children should understand these. From there and with age we take it one step at a time as it becomes increasingly complex.
In order for it to work it would have to be a standardized curriculum being strictly followed...The school board and/or PTA can vote. Otherwise you'll get teachers polluting the children's minds with all kinds of (*)(*)(*)(*). Or even better, just teach about all those different historical philosophers and their writings and ideas.
I'm talking about basic children's books. Pictures and limited basic text. Keep it simple but the key is to ask the children why? after the lesson. Get them to think and realize why what their parents or teachers(hopefully) tell them to do is the right thing. Talk it out and play the Devil's advocate.
