Cultural Dependency in the Teaching of Ethics: The Case of Finland

Helena Siipi

《Trames》 10卷3期 (2006/09) Pp. 278-291

並列摘要

Besides pedagogical challenges, teachers of university ethics courses have to meet ethical questions related to the teaching of ethics. Two such questions are considered. First, I analyse objectives of ethics teaching in general and in Finland in particular. It is argued that usually the main aims of ethics courses should be purely intellectual. However, some behavioural aims are also acceptable. It is prudential to teach moral prima facie rules which are related only to the world of academia (for example research ethics) or to a certain occupation (for example medical care). Second, ethical issues related to ethics teaching in culturally homogenous environments are analysed. It is argued that homogenous environments create some special problems, which an ethics teacher should acknowledge and be extremely sensitive to. Moreover, special arrangements for fairness are needed, not just in diverse, but also in homogenous environments.

並列關鍵字

ethics teaching ； objectives ； homogenous cultures ； pedagogy ； university ； Finland