An ethical philosophy of life presented in its main outlinesAdler, Felix
Religion
An ethical philosophy of life presented in its main outlines
Adler, Felix
Ethics; Philosophy, Modern
Systematic moral education in schools and high schools is advisable.
It is frequently criticised on the ground that it is apt to be
schematic and unreal. Moral counsels given as the occasion arises
are believed to be more effective. They hit the nail on the head and
drive it home. The reply to this is that incidental moral advice
and exhortation is not excluded, but that it by no means adequately
answers the purpose. The occasions for giving the necessary guidance
simply do not arise. This kind of moral teaching is apt to be patchy.
In the next place, ethical instruction, when rightly planned, has
two objects: the one to bring into clear relief the life axioms that
underlie the entire home and school experience of the pupil, and
secondly, to give to the pupil a provisional chart and compass or
ethical outlook upon his future life. Ethical teaching conceived of
and conducted in this manner is neither schematic nor artificial. It
does not drive home a nail here and there, it constructs a mental
house in which the mind of the pupil can be at home,—with windows in
it, looking out upon a large landscape outside.
The capital significance of right relations, ethical relations,
between the members of the teaching staff has been noted in the text.
In every school clubs should be formed consisting of pupils specially
interested in any one subject and of the special teachers of that
subject:—or if not formal clubs, then at least more intimate personal
relations should exist between the special teacher and those selected
pupils, the object being through personal intercourse to introduce
the young aspirant to a knowledge of the problems on which the older
person is intent. There is nothing nearly so educative for the young
as to be taken into the counsels of their elders.
The more gifted pupils of the school should be invited to take a
personal interest in helping the more backward students. In every
school, high school and university there are social misfits,—shy,
sensitive, solitary youths who fail to come into easy touch with their
fellows, and suffer acutely. They are objects of the most delicate,
deferential charity, and the task of bringing them into fellowship
offers one of the finest opportunities for ethical education.
A vital system of self-government is to be used as a means of
placing real responsibility upon the students under due advice. To
exercise responsibility is to acquire character. Self-government is
particularly important so far as it relates to the administration of
justice in a school. Cases of discipline should be used as means to
create the right conception of punishment, the right attitude towards
those who have erred.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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