Moral Development Theories -- Secular and Religious

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Moral Development Theories -- Secular and Religious A Comparative Study

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R. Murray Thomas

Book Code: GM0236

ISBN: 0-313-30236-7

ISBN-13: 978-0-313-30236-7

DOI:

328 pages, figures, tables

Greenwood Press

Publication: 3/30/1997

List Price: $131.95 (UK Sterling Price: £75.00)

Availability: Print on demand

Media Type: Hardcover

Also Available: Ebook

Trim Size: 6 1/8 x 9 1/4

Subjects:

Series Title: Contributions to the Study of Education

Series Number: 68

Awards:

Choice Outstanding Academic Book, 1997

Reviews:

Thomas is known for his comparative approach to general theories of psychological development. Here he applies the same approach to the specific area of moral development.... The discussion of each theory is guided by 12 questions outlined in the opening chapter, so that some comparison across approaches is possible about such things as what constitutes the moral domain, or good versus bad development; what sources of evidence are provided; what causal factors are proposed; and what explains individual differences. In addition, each theory is evaluated on the same eight criteria, judging how understandable, practical, verifiable, adaptable, etc., they are. Since each theory's evaluation is presented in the form of a table, an easy comparison is possible.... The inclusion of secular and religion ideas in a single volume makes this a unique and valuable contribution for undergraduates.
—
Choice

Description: Moral Development Theories--Secular and Religious introduces readers to 13 secular models and 13d religious theories in a wide-ranging comparative study of the roots of moral development. The secular models include attribution theory, cognitive-structural views, social-learning and social-cognition approaches, Freud's psychoanalysis (plus Erikson and Fromm), Marxist beliefs, a composite theory, Hoffman's conception of empathy, Anderson's information-integration view, Gilligan's gender distinction, Sutherland and Cressey's explanation of delinquency, and Lovinger on ego development. Religious theories represent the Judaic-Christian-Islamic line, Hinduism and derivatives (Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism), Confucianism, Shinto, and four minor theories drawn from the belief systems of the Navajo, Zulus, Vodou adherents, and Okinawans. The description of each theory is designed to answer a common set of questions introduced in Chapter 1. The closing section of each chapter evaluates that chapter's theories in terms of a series of assessment standards described in Chapter 2. The book's final chapter inspects all of the theories from the viewpoint of five desires that people often hold in relation to their conceptions of moral development. The desires are: (a) for immanent justice; (b) to understand the causes of the consequences that result from people's behavior in moral situations; (c) to become immortal; (d) to enjoy a happy life, and (e) to understand the moral-development process in order to help others who need moral guidance.

Table of Contents:

Preface
A Framework for Comparing Theories
The Content of Theories
Evaluating Theories
Secular Theories
Attribution Theory
Cognitive Structuralism
Social Learning, Social Cognition
Psychoanalysis
Marxist Conceptions
A Composite Theory
Specialized Theories
Theories Implied in Religious Doctrine
The Judaic-Christian-Islamic Line
Hinduism & Derivatives--Buddhism, Jainism, & Sikhism
Confucianism & Shinto
Representative Minor Religions
Afterthought
Human Desires & Theories of Development
References
Index

LC Card Number: 96-33070

LCC Class: BF723

Dewey Class: 155


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