Towards a critical character education using virtue ethics philosophy and Bourdieu’s sociology

ABSTRACT

In this article I develop ideas for supporting character education through sociology and virtue ethics philosophy. A combination of Pierre Bourdieu’s theory of habitus together with (neo) Aristotelian virtue ethics philosophy is used to promote a critical form of character education—one that accents the individual as well as the social context through human embodiment. In brief, my intention is that this framework may underpin conceptual and practical possibilities for critical (moral) character development for youth. Obviously the two approaches making up the theoretical framework differ by levels of analysis with predictably less concern for individual moral development from Bourdieu whose focus is on social context (e.g., race, class etc.) as it shows up in patterns of individual perceiving, feeling, thinking, and valuing. The proposed critical character education involves incorporating into processes of virtue and character development a reflexive capacity to understand how community practices, habits, and relations may be unjust or unconducive for human flourishing. The aim is to champion and develop shared qualities of being human while also acknowledging and tackling differences and oppressions in ways that are not counter-productive.

KEYWORDS:

• Character
• virtue
• sociology
• class
• critical

Acknowledgments

I am very grateful to Professor Andrew Sayer, Lancaster University, UK, for conversations relating to this article as well as for his valuable comments and suggestions relating to an earlier version. I also appreciate very helpful reviewer suggestions for improvement.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

David Ian Walker

David Ian Walker is Professor in the Educational Psychology Program at the University of Alabama. He is also Director of the Center for the Study of Ethical Development. Dr. Walker’s research focuses on moral and character development and education.