Comprehensive Virtue Education: Out of Reach of Political Liberals

• In Event: Marriott Roundtable Session 33
  In Roundtable Session: Virtue and Education

Abstract

All liberal theories recognize an important state interest in ensuring that its future citizen are raised to virtuous in the ways that are necessary for proper state functioning. This interest is often discharged through public school education where children receive training in the civic virtues. But what does such an education look like and which liberal theories can justify such state action? I will argue that an effective civic virtue education is comprehensive in two distinct senses neither of which are acceptable to a Political Liberal. Comprehensive Liberalism is the liberal position most capable of justifying an effective virtue education. If Comprehensive Liberalism alone can justify such an education this gives us reason to prefer it over Political Liberalism.

Author

• Augusta Ann Moore, University of Wisconsin - Madison