Moral Education: Principles, Methods, and Development
Moral formation has often failed because there is no clear model to teach. It follows that while it is important to educate morally, there is no consensus on how to do so. The concept of moral education lies in leadership and the promotion of the offspring’s perfect state of being human, which is the state of virtue, encompassing both natural and supernatural virtues.
Humanity comprises the body (sensitive appetite, concupiscible and irascible passions) and the spiritual soul (intelligence, will). Virtue refers to the ingrained habits that take root in humans, specifically good operating habits.
Types of Virtues
- Intellectual virtues: These perfect intelligence and include wisdom, science, and intellect.
- Moral virtues: These perfect the appetitive dimension of humans (will, sensitive appetite). The cardinal moral virtues are prudence, fortitude, justice, and temperance.
- Theological virtues: These perfect human capacities and include faith, hope, and charity.
Habits: Provided that a habit is rooted firmly in the faculties, it becomes available for good. Habits are acquired through the exercise of good deeds.
Moral and Intellectual Education
It is important to form a person’s intelligence for knowledge, whether applied or practical, for proper processes. To be moral, one must educate or train the mind in truth, will, sensitivity, and trends through virtues.
Distortions of Conscience
Several distortions of conscience are recognized:
- Collectivism or herd mentality (the criterion for determining right from wrong is based on the majority).
- Legalism or normativism (identifying moral good with what is legal).
- Individualistic subjectivism (failing to recognize that values are objective).
- Permissiveness (a person seeks to attribute rights to themselves without recognizing the rights of others).
- Hedonism (the criterion for determining right and wrong is based on pleasure).
The Significance of Moral Education
Moral education plays a crucial role in the growth of children and youth, shaping their value as individuals and guiding their use of freedom.
The Role of Narratives in Moral Education
Stories highlight values embodied by characters, exemplifying moral principles to be transmitted. Narratives are one of the most used methods across all cultures. They are highly recommended, inspirational, and holistic, forming an ideal within a moral tradition.
Contributions of Narratives
- Motivation
- Orientation
- Integration
- Integral education
- Applicability
Through narratives, we learn by imitation. Characters embody values, and the learning goal is to emulate them. Narratives reflect real life, and in education, they present figures who embody virtues. They provide clear moral orientation and are easy to apply and understand, fostering moral and community integration.
Discipline as an Educational Method
Discipline is exercised in compliance with established standards. It aims to form individuals in line with duty, assuming that humans are inherently flawed and that morality consists of obeying rules.
Punishment
Punishment is a negative consequence that follows a behavior, leading to its reduction. It is used to correct inappropriate actions.
Types of Punishment
- Physical
- Psychological
- Suppression of pleasurable activity
Limitations or Disadvantages of Punishment
Punishment can produce negative emotional reactions in the pupil (crying, fright) and the teacher (anger, frustration). It can also lead to negative reactions from the punished individual, such as anger. The punishment can become associated with the situation and the agent, leading to a punitive-retributive cycle. Additionally, it can model negative behaviors.
Rules for Implementing Punishment
- It should be used rarely.
- It should not be imposed during an emotional outburst.
- It should not be used excessively, or it will lose its effectiveness.
- It should be applied immediately after the initial misconduct.
- It should be consistent; do not mix punishment with reward.
- It should cease with the inappropriate behavior.
- Positive behaviors should be reinforced.
- It should be implemented by a recognized authority.
- It should be applied within the cultural context.
- It should be based on the common good.
- It should be applied fairly.
- It should be strategically forewarned.
- It should be proportional to the need.
- It should be immediate, persistent, unique, and unchanging.
Physical damage can negatively impact personal self-worth and lead to broken expectations.