Moral Literacy: Helping Students Develop Competence for Happiness Dr. Rodney H. Clarken Northern Michigan University Presented at the Upper Peninsula Reading Conference, Marquette, MI October 9, 2009

Moral Crisis The current crisis in this time of global transformation is in the final analysis a moral crisis. Any reform efforts that fail to address the underlying moral issues of this crisis are doomed to failure. © Rodney H. Clarken 2009

We live in an age of ever increasing and accelerating moral and social decline “high and rising rates of depression, anxiety, attention deficit, conduct disorders, thoughts of suicide, and other serious mental, emotional, and behavioral problems among children and adolescents”. (Hardwired to Connect, p. 5) © Rodney H. Clarken 2009

The Problem Confusion about morals and morality, and how to engender them. Happiness, which is based on morality, has become associated with hedonism, materialism and the selfish pursuit of perceived entitlements. © Rodney H. Clarken 2009

Moral Literacy mor·al: relating to issues of right and wrong and to how individuals should behave. lit·er·a·cy: 1. the ability to read and write to a competent level. 2. knowledge of or competence in a subject or area of activity. © Rodney H. Clarken 2009

Education for moral literacy should develop each individual’s capabilities, thoughts, feelings and actions, using the related moral principles or virtues of truth, love and justice. © Rodney H. Clarken 2009

Thoughts, Feelings and Actions: Require Literacy in Truth, Love and Justice © Rodney H. Clarken 2009

Thoughts, Feelings and Actions are the basic moral capacities of every individual, institution and community to transform both themselves through truth, love and justice can be perverted, if not properly guided by truth, love and justice, and can be to cause of as much evil as good. © Rodney H. Clarken 2009

Thoughts, feelings and actions can be Unattractive Attractive Easy positive choice as the good is attractive Requires will and effort as is right, but unattractive Requires moral integrity to seek good as wrong is more attractive Easy moral choice as the wrong is unattractive Right Wrong © Rodney H. Clarken 2009

Happiness Happiness is based on moral literacy which helps us sacrifice lesser ephemeral pleasures and values--drugs, alcohol, sex, popularity, materialism, entertainment and diversions– for more difficult and less immediate paths to true happiness. © Rodney H. Clarken 2009

Individuals, institutions and communities are interconnected and influence one another. There is a reciprocal relationship among them. The health of one affects the health of the others. The more truthful, loving and just one becomes, the more the others are able to do the same, leading to a better world for all. © Rodney H. Clarken 2009

We have ultimate control over our own behavior and very little control over others. The surest way to change others or a relationship is to change our behavior in that relationship. The key to change is healthy self-truth, self-love and self-justice. © Rodney H. Clarken 2009

Moral Literacy Develops capacity to use our truth, love and justice in creating and maintaining healthy relationships with others and the world. Can be assessed through our interactions, including the degree of self-sacrifice and service to others. Helps us to self improve, making opportunities for growth from the challenges of life. © Rodney H. Clarken 2009

As we engage students in the pursuit of truth, love and justice, they will become more intrinsically motivated to further develop their moral literacy, see it as valuable and to make choices that are in theirs and others best interests. © Rodney H. Clarken 2009

Students will learn that certain actions result in positive consequences and others in negative. With age and experience comes increased autonomy. When we use our freedom irresponsibly, we bring suffering on ourselves, which leads to less autonomy. We control our moral repsonse. © Rodney H. Clarken 2009

Moral literacy helps us helps make better choices and learn to satisfy our needs in a legitimate, responsible, moral and honest manner. gain a more accurate knowledge of the moral laws of cause and effect. increase our true happiness and autonomy, which in turn further motivates us to moral action. © Rodney H. Clarken 2009

Moral illiteracy leads us into dependencies and addictions to escape the suffering we experience. to become victims to impulses and desires we find difficult to resist. to feel we cannot live or be happy without our crutch, whether it be substances, sex or other substitutes which rob us of the freedom and happiness we seek. © Rodney H. Clarken 2009

Moral Literacy Skills delay gratification, 2. control our impulses, 3. strive to gain a victory over our own selves, 4. correct our views of reality and ourselves, 5. understand the pain and suffering we cause ourselves and others, 6. take responsibility for our actions and 7. fulfill our needs in a moral manner. © Rodney H. Clarken 2009

When we practice moral literacy skills, they affect us and environment, which will evoke some reaction or feedback, which can begin a cycle of further growth and response. This is hard work and will require self discipline and assistance from others along the way. © Rodney H. Clarken 2009

References Many of the ideas in this presentation were inspired by: Hatcher, W. (1998). Love, power and justice: The dynamics of authentic morality. Wilmette, IL: Bahá'í Publishing Trust. © Rodney H. Clarken 2009

Authenticity, Altruism and Autonomy Altruistic love Autonomous justice Authentic truth © Rodney H. Clarken 2009

…rectitude of conduct, trustworthiness, and honesty are the foundation for stability and progress; altruism should guide all human endeavor, such that sincerity and respect for the rights of others become an integral part of every individual's actions; service to humanity is the true source of happiness, honor and meaning in life. (Baha'i International Community, 1995 Oct, Turning Point For All Nations) © Rodney H. Clarken 2009