Rethinking Indoctrination as Essential for Civic Virtue Education

• In Event: Philosophical Examinations of Educational Responsibility, Indoctrination, and Educational Justice

Abstract

Indoctrination is considered to have a negative moral connotation. That is, many think that indoctrination necessarily produces outcomes that are morally wrong. The purpose of this paper is to argue that we must rethink this negative connotation. Some form of moderate indoctrination is necessary in order for educators to effectively engage in civic virtue education that encourages future citizens to adopt those virtues that are essential for a functioning democracy. I will argue that many arguments against indoctrination only consider extreme forms of this process, which may indeed be morally wrong. A more moderate approach to moral virtue indoctrination first, might be the only way to inculcate civic virtues and second, avoids many of the pitfalls of more extreme indoctrination.

Author

• Augusta Ann Moore, University of Wisconsin - Madison