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Education loses moral ground
By Greg Cusack |
November 18, 2011, Friday
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Print Edition
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MR Wan Lixin, in his excellent article in the November 3 issue of your paper ("Moral decay stems from pursuit of wealth at all cost") writes, "Recently there has been considerable speculation that our citizens are fast losing their moral decency."
In noting signs of such decay in primarily civic - as opposed to political - interactions, he wonders if such is in fact occurring in part because of the decline of traditional Confucian principles and practices.
He notes, "The modern educational establishment no longer concerns itself with the cultivation of personal character and the passing on of traditional values, as did the old establishment."
Critics of the current American educational scene voice similar concerns.
Traditional exposure to the "liberal arts"- including history (international as well as US), philosophy, civics, other social sciences and the arts - has largely succumbed over the past 30 years to the allegedly "more important" task of "preparing students for the work force."
In addition, our increasing partisan and religiously cliquish environment decries humanism-based ethics as harmful "secularism."
The result is that what is eventually taught either borders on interpretations of religious-based doctrines in non-public schools, or in the public schools a watered-down vagueness designed to neither offend (nor challenge) anyone.
Unfailingly, the Shanghai Daily keeps urging us all to return to a more sustainable, humanity-valuing course. Your editorial comments are consistently among the most moral and ethical that I encounter anywhere!
Just so, Mr Wan Lixin in his article, concludes with some very stirring lines:
"When a state flatters itself on its willingness to expose every fiber of the nation to the play of market forces, mindless accumulation, or growth, becomes a purpose in its own right. When getting richer than one's neighbors becomes the all-consuming, lifelong instinct, it is soon discovered that virtues such as loyalty, filial piety, and honesty are often cumbersome because they stand in the way of worldly ambitions.
"In this context, it is less important to achieve a consensus on our moral decay, than to draw attention to circumstances that make the decay inevitable. Only by identifying such circumstances can we hope to bring about change."
Worship of market forces
China's quandary is similar to America's (and the West's in general).
While most people continue to cherish guiding beliefs, there has been a serious weakening of shared beliefs that strengthen society and promote civic order and responsibilities.
Religious and/or spiritual impulses have been shouldered aside by worship of "market forces."
Not so coincidentally, whereas traditional ethics emphasized the obligation of each individual to become an honorable and trustworthy human being mindful of the larger community and its needs, the so-called ethic of "market forces" is highly individualistic, and prioritizes attaining ever-greater wealth and status.
In that kind of society the emphasis is on personal "rights" and not "responsibility." We become no longer accountable to each other.
What kind of ethos will emphasize community responsibilities, a sustainable way of life (bequeathing hope to our children's children), and enduring peace established through justice for all?
Do we not share the same central values towards the sacredness of creation and of the worth and dignity of every human being?
Through our governments and other civic organizations we must insist that our educational institutions place renewed emphasis on the need for students acquiring knowledge of their own peoples' religious wisdom and history, as well as a respectful instruction in the major tenets of other traditions.
Education is more than just preparing citizens for the ever changing "work world."
The author has been a college teacher of American history and political science, the director of the US National Catholic Rural Life Conference; he served as a member of the Iowa State House of Representatives, and retired from public service in the Iowa executive branch in 2004. Shanghai Daily condensed article.
In noting signs of such decay in primarily civic - as opposed to political - interactions, he wonders if such is in fact occurring in part because of the decline of traditional Confucian principles and practices.
He notes, "The modern educational establishment no longer concerns itself with the cultivation of personal character and the passing on of traditional values, as did the old establishment."
Critics of the current American educational scene voice similar concerns.
Traditional exposure to the "liberal arts"- including history (international as well as US), philosophy, civics, other social sciences and the arts - has largely succumbed over the past 30 years to the allegedly "more important" task of "preparing students for the work force."
In addition, our increasing partisan and religiously cliquish environment decries humanism-based ethics as harmful "secularism."
The result is that what is eventually taught either borders on interpretations of religious-based doctrines in non-public schools, or in the public schools a watered-down vagueness designed to neither offend (nor challenge) anyone.
Unfailingly, the Shanghai Daily keeps urging us all to return to a more sustainable, humanity-valuing course. Your editorial comments are consistently among the most moral and ethical that I encounter anywhere!
Just so, Mr Wan Lixin in his article, concludes with some very stirring lines:
"When a state flatters itself on its willingness to expose every fiber of the nation to the play of market forces, mindless accumulation, or growth, becomes a purpose in its own right. When getting richer than one's neighbors becomes the all-consuming, lifelong instinct, it is soon discovered that virtues such as loyalty, filial piety, and honesty are often cumbersome because they stand in the way of worldly ambitions.
"In this context, it is less important to achieve a consensus on our moral decay, than to draw attention to circumstances that make the decay inevitable. Only by identifying such circumstances can we hope to bring about change."
Worship of market forces
China's quandary is similar to America's (and the West's in general).
While most people continue to cherish guiding beliefs, there has been a serious weakening of shared beliefs that strengthen society and promote civic order and responsibilities.
Religious and/or spiritual impulses have been shouldered aside by worship of "market forces."
Not so coincidentally, whereas traditional ethics emphasized the obligation of each individual to become an honorable and trustworthy human being mindful of the larger community and its needs, the so-called ethic of "market forces" is highly individualistic, and prioritizes attaining ever-greater wealth and status.
In that kind of society the emphasis is on personal "rights" and not "responsibility." We become no longer accountable to each other.
What kind of ethos will emphasize community responsibilities, a sustainable way of life (bequeathing hope to our children's children), and enduring peace established through justice for all?
Do we not share the same central values towards the sacredness of creation and of the worth and dignity of every human being?
Through our governments and other civic organizations we must insist that our educational institutions place renewed emphasis on the need for students acquiring knowledge of their own peoples' religious wisdom and history, as well as a respectful instruction in the major tenets of other traditions.
Education is more than just preparing citizens for the ever changing "work world."
The author has been a college teacher of American history and political science, the director of the US National Catholic Rural Life Conference; he served as a member of the Iowa State House of Representatives, and retired from public service in the Iowa executive branch in 2004. Shanghai Daily condensed article.
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