Moral education of Americans

Author: (American) Heslip
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-04-01
Features: Moral Education for Americans is written for Americans. The moral education constructed in this book is specifically set in the social context of the United States. The political and cultural values referenced in the book are also relative to the United States; the two cases analyzed in the book are particularly targeted at this country. However, the moral education theory constructed in this book is not specifically tailored to the United States or any other country. According to the theory discussed in the book, any action that serves moral interests is something done by a free and conscious agent; alternatively, it is something done by a free and rational person. But whatever the case, not every action of a free and conscious person is of concern to morality. What morality concerns must be related to interpersonal relationships. In other words, what morality concerns means that what a free and conscious agent does must directly or indirectly affect other agents. Because, logically speaking, all moral agents possess the qualities of freedom, knowledge, purpose, and prudence. This quality is not only for themselves but also, in a broader sense, for all others. Logically, moral agents must be able to evaluate the qualities of freedom, knowledge, purpose, and prudence, and they have the right and responsibility to cultivate them. From this understanding, some moral principles follow. These include: every moral agent must cherish the qualities of moral action. Everyone must respect the rights of others in these qualities. Everyone has the responsibility to support and foster social environments that are conducive to moral action. Additionally, moral principles should also include virtues or good habits that benefit every moral agent. Some virtues are intellectual, while others are emotional. The ultimate task of moral education is to develop children and young people as moral agents, or to help these children and young people acquire these virtues and make them part of the character of a moral agent.