Ethical Sensitivity in Teaching and Learning

• In Event: The Future of Research on Moral Education: Desires and Possibilities for How Moral Education Can Contribute to a Culture of Social Justice

Abstract

Moral judgment is the most studied aspect in moral development (Kohlberg, 1969). Moral sensitivity has been suggested to be the most important component in morality since it has the potential to influence the moral behavior of the person the most (Rest, 1983). In the professional context, for example in teaching profession, we usually use the term ethical sensitivity. Ethical sensitivity can be described as the ability to see the moral aspect of a situation. As with any skill, ethical sensitivity can be learned and developed (Narvaez, 2006). Narvaez (2001) has operationalized ethical sensitivity as seven skills: (1) reading and expressing emotions, (2) taking the perspectives of others; (3) caring by connecting to others; (4) working with interpersonal and group differences; (5) preventing social bias; (6) generating interpretations and options; (7) identifying the consequences of actions and options.
X and XX (2007, 2011) have developed Ethical Sensitivity Scale Questionnaire (ESSQ) that has been used with teachers and students in different cultural contexts. The empirical findings have revealed the culture-dependent aspects in ethical sensitivity. In this paper these findings of several studies using ESSQ instrument are summarized together and the implications for teaching and learning are discussed in different cultural contexts: in different countries, in different educational institutions, with diversity of teachers and students. Studying moral sensitivity is quite a new area of research, and yet, it has not been as deeply studied as moral judgment. A meta-analysis of the cultural-dependency of moral sensitivity has yet to be done, and this paper contributes toward rectifying this deficiency. Moreover, new areas in teaching and learning are identified that require studies related to ethical sensitivity. These areas include digital learning and inclusive education, for example,

Author

• Kirsi A. Tirri, University of Helsinki