Teaching ethic classes and moral education of elementary and secondary school and university students

Abstract

This paper deals with the role of teaching ethic as regards the moral education of elementary and secondary school and university students through a discussion of a series of issues in this respect. Ever since Socrates, there has been an ongoing debate whether ethic can be actually taught. With regard to this, the author shows that teaching ethic classes has a direct impact on development of moral judgment and moral emotions, thus affecting, in an indirect fashion, students’ moral behaviour through their free choice. The paper offers a review of the most influential theories of moral development and expresses the necessity of a holistic approach to encompass all the components of morality. As it is, moral education in elementary schools of the Republic of Srpska is realised through the subject of Philosophy for Children in junior grades, and through the mandatory subject of Philosophy and the elective one of Ethic in secondary schools, with university students being taught in this respect by virtue of the subject of Introduction to Ethic, that is, Professional Ethic. In addition, the paper precisely defines the sense and goals of teaching ethic throughout the educational system, featuring discussions on both traditional and innovative methods applicable to it, with special emphasis on case study and group debate, and offering a balance of ethic theories and issues of applied ethic. In addition, the paper draws attention to mistakes made and difficulties occurring in teaching ethic, such as indoctrination and learning outcome estimate, and it points to the shortcomings of the educational system of the Republic of Srpska with regard to ethic education, proposing the remedy at the same time.