An Introduction to Ethics (Classic Reprint)

How do we judge right and wrong, and what guides our moral sense as we grow? This book explains how our standard for moral judgment develops—from private opinion to family belief, and then to broader social conventions—and how feelings influence our sense of ethics. It shows how teachers and students navigate ideals, duties, and the challenges of moral growth.

The text traces the origins of moral judgment in children, including imitation, the authority of parents, and the gradual emergence of independent judgments. It then explains how private opinions can become public standards through family life, social groups, and eventually social conventions. It also discusses the limits of convention and the role of felt conviction in ethical decision making. Throughout, the work connects moral judgment to education, responsibility, and the formation of character.

• How moral standards form, from imitation to private judgment to social convention


• How feelings and conscience interact with reason in moral choice


• The role of education, environment, and vocation in developing character


• Practical insights for teachers on guiding ethical judgment and behavior

Ideal for readers of ethics, moral education, and philosophy of education, this edition offers a clear framework for understanding why we judge as we do and how to foster thoughtful, responsible judgment in others.