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The Death of Character: Moral Education in an Age Without Good or Evil
The Death of Character Moral Education in an Age Without Good or Evil Author:James Davison Hunter, James Hunter A landmark study of the roots of the values debate, by the distinguished author of Culture Wars. The Death of Character is a broad historical, sociological, and cultural inquiry into the moral life and education of young Americans. Neither lament nor celebration, it is based on an empirical study of the children themselves and the effort... more » of Americans to make our children good. The socialization of our children is a keen concern, but, Hunter argues, the tools of socialization, our schools, have become part of the problem. Rather than develop moral character and teach ethical ideals, our schools are complicit in destroying them. An unintended consequence of the education establishment is the cultivation not of character but of a sort of nihilism that leaves the young with few if any moral resources. Hunter's work is bound to be controversial in that it blames schools and psychologists for replacing the foundation of values with issues of self-esteem.« less