Ethics in Continuing Education
In professional continuing education—whether for doctors, lawyers, nurses, or accountants—ethics courses are almost always required. Throughout history, philosophers and professionals have asked, “Can ethics be taught?” The answer, however, is yes—with some qualifications. For example, Socrates believed ethics means knowing what we ought to do, and such knowledge can indeed be taught.
Education
Of course, ethics education cannot turn a bad person into a good one. Nevertheless, it can strengthen moral reasoning in good people. In fact, learners who already value right and wrong can improve their ethical decision-making through education. Fortunately, most of our learners belong to this group.
Can Ethics be Taught?
In the late 1980s, the Wall Street Journal claimed ethics could not be taught. However, ethics teachers and researchers strongly disagreed, citing Harvard psychologist Lawrence Kohlberg. Specifically, Kohlberg identified three stages of moral development. The first, pre-conventional, focuses on fear of punishment. Next, the second, conventional, depends on personal relationships. Meanwhile, moral growth parallels physical and mental development. Finally, in the post-conventional stage, people judge right and wrong using universal principles that include everyone’s interests.
Furthermore, Kohlberg concluded that education influences ethical reasoning, and importantly, research supports this view. In particular, people who take ethics courses—especially those exploring universal viewpoints—better recognize moral problems and their consequences.
Ultimately, teaching basic ethical rules is only the starting point, the ethical minimum. Beyond that, true education explores complex, real-world ethical challenges. Through these discussions, learners are encouraged to think universally and develop stronger moral awareness.
Note: Professor Kohlberg created controversy when he suggested that women were often at a lower stage of moral development when compared to men. You can find one example of criticism of that premise here.
If you want to hear more information on Ethics in Education, please reach out!
Resources:
https://www.scu.edu/ethics/ethics-resources/ethical-decision-making/can-ethics-be-taught/
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-ethical-professor/201102/5-ways-teach-ethics
https://www.slideshare.net/shahsmzh/can-ethics-be-taught-61792919
