The Role of Discussion in the Moral Education of Children

Abstract

Introduction:  What role should discussion of morality play in the moral education of children?  There seem to be good reasons to believe that they should play a very minor role at best.  Engaging children in philosophical dialogue about values is useless, it may be contended, because children are not truly rational.  Also we cannot, for example, convince someone to be caring.  Such discussion might even be dangerous, it may be claimed, because it will lead children to despair or to skepticism.  On this view, what children need, rather, is something more akin to training or habituation.  We should show them what is right and what is wrong.