I think this edited book is one of William Damon’s best, because he brings together nine writers who each take a position on the prospects and future of character education in American schools and universities. The essays are very well written and integrated, and are accessible to upper high school and college-level readers.

Damon’s position is that character education has been neglected because of “false oppositions” (either-or propositions), such as “individual vs. the community,” “secular vs. the religious,” and so on. These oppositions are false because each “side” of the argument stems from adult perspectives, not the ideas and imaginations of developing children. Additionally, advocates for each “side” fail to use the logic of “both-and” propositions.

As Damon says, “I have never heard of a youngster being harmed by witnessing another person’s expression of spirituality, even when the form of spirituality is highly unfamiliar to the child. On the contrary, young persons are usually moved and fascinated…” (p. xiii-xiv). This is an example of how he wishes to understand the development of children and adolescents in areas of moral and character development.

The essays concern (1) how to transmit moral values when the transcendant American value is the “autonomous self;” (2) how character education is based on valid, scientific developmental psychology; (3) how to educate youngsters by “moral exemplarity” and by building a democratic community; and (4) how most Americans really are very united on the values that underpin character education.

I hope you enjoy this book.
Rating: 5 / 5