Formal ethics suggests that we teach children to be more rational in their choices and ethical judgments by using adult example, verbal instruction, and punishments/rewards to teach
Formal ethics suggests that we teach children to be more rational in their choices and ethical judgments by using adult example, verbal instruction, and punishments/rewards to teach
This is an important part of moral education. But it doesn't teach moral rationality as such -- and it could as easily be used to teach Nazi racism.
We need to supplement traditional moral education by methods that focus more directly on moral rationality.
Formal ethics suggests that we teach children to be more rational in their choices and ethical judgments by using adult example, verbal instruction, and punishments/rewards to teach
These elements include being consistent in our beliefs (logicality); coordinating ends and means; keeping our lives in harmony with our moral beliefs (conscientiousness); looking for reasons why things are right or wrong and applying these in a consistent way to everyone (impartiality); treating others as we want to be treated (the golden rule); understanding facts, alternatives, and consequences; and understanding and visualizing the place of another (empathetic imagination). These elements can be taught -- either directly or by adult example.