A philosophic approach

LALITHA RAMAMURTHY

The issue of moral values currently occupies centre stage and there is widespread concern about the attitudes, values and beliefs of both the young and the old. The need for "ethics and moral development" in contemporary and basic education has been realised.

There are, of course, some courses in moral education and ethics but in reality value education is often relegated to the background. A teacher should help in developing the critical thinking skills of students. A philosophic approach integrates values and moral thinking.

The advantage of this is that it expects children to make their own decisions and be responsible for the consequences. It helps self-development, a key factor of value education.

Education should take place in a cooperative, loving, truthful, respectful and caring environment. Certain values are universal and trans-cultural. Honesty, obedience, kindness, respect, responsibility empathy and non-violence are such values. These are the foundation of character and therefore the essential ingredient of responsible citizenship.

Students should be encouraged to assess their beliefs and act on them. This would create an increased awareness of ethical issues, better interaction among students and between students and teachers and readiness to appreciate, integrate and understand diverse values and beliefs become part of ethical reasoning.

Teachers should acknowledge and appreciate the critical thinking of the students and not be judgemental. Class discussions should be encouraged. Teachers should be able to understand the practical implications of how the course content relates to concrete cases in life.

In the Taittiriya Upanishad, it is mentioned that peace lovers should respect the law, always speak the truth, practise self- control and tranquillity, study the teaching of sacred books, respect and revere parents, teachers and elders. Charity should be practised with faith, magnanimity, modesty and sympathy.

The yearning for peace and happiness is inherent in human beings. And there is a constant quest to attain this level of peace. A philosophic approach, points out that self-respect is the basis of moral behaviour. How can a man who does not respect himself, respect a moral law?

Hence, all actions have reactions so one must remember that there is nothing that has no consequences.

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