Ethical literacy - a question of knowledge? An inquiry of the presentation of ethics in some textbooks with regard to the syllabus for RE in compulsory school (Lgr11) in Sweden

• Abstract close Which representations of ethics is produced and, perhaps, reproduced in the literature published to serve as textbooks in the teaching in accordance with the present syllabus for RE in compulsory school in Sweden, implemented in 2011? This syllabus has, by some debaters, been questioned on the ground that it doesn´t give enough room for critical reflection and existential action competence. Not the least given that many teachers seem to plan their education in accordance with the structure and the content of the textbooks used, it may be interesting to inquire to what extent the textbooks intended to be used in the teaching indicate a priority of informational knowledge about ethics, rather than a vision of developing practical knowledge, perhaps expressible in terms of “phronesis”, or an ethical competence, anchored in a broader epistemological fundamental idea about the role and the aim of educational ethics. The concept of ethical literacy is introduced and penetrated with regard to some approaches in normative ethical theory such as virtue ethics, and with reference to some interpretations of the concepts of critical literacy and religious literacy respectively. It is also related to the concepts of analytical and normative ethical competence respectively. The conclusions of this analysis are applied to the presentations of ethics in the chosen textbooks. The relation between these presentations and the formulations on ethics in the syllabus is then made the object of analysis. The inquiry reveals some important dimensions relevant for a discussion on the aim of educational ethics in compulsory school, such as this is expressed in some textbooks used.

Ämnesord

HUMANIORA  -- Filosofi, etik och religion -- Etik (hsv//swe)

HUMANITIES  -- Philosophy, Ethics and Religion -- Ethics (hsv//eng)

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Utbildningsvetenskap -- Didaktik (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Educational Sciences -- Didactics (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Ethical literacy

Religious Education

Textbooks

Publikations- och innehållstyp

vet (ämneskategori)

kon (ämneskategori)