Special Education: Justice,Tolerance,and Beneficence as Duty 1

Abstract

This article establishes the moral basis for special education as it concerns the duties of justice, toleration, and beneficence. The same fundamental moral principles apply to children with disabilities as to others, but the context here is public education with particular interest in the educational achievement of each child. Special education relies on justice, toleration and beneficence as it seeks the equal treatment of equals. The moral motives for special education are in the liberal democratic ideals of self-determination of every citizen and justice for all. Rights of liberty and justice can be secured, at least imperfectly, by law and regulation. But a civil and humane society needs more than law, more than justice, and more than toleration. It depends also on other civic virtues including respect for and commitment to beneficence.

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