The Values Clarification approach to moral education is examined and evaluated in this article in light of biblical teachings and principles as understood by evangelical Christians. Its basic assumptions and primary techniques are identified and the possible negative effects of its strategies indicated. Values Clarification morality, it is concluded, promotes situational ethics, humanistic over-optimism about human nature, and unreasoned decision-making. At root is a de facto denial of the existence of any set of God-given standards or absolutes as guides for right or wrong behavior.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
CarlsmithJ., CollinsB., & HelmreichE.Studies in forced compliance: I. The effect of pressure for compliance on attitude change produced by face-to-face role-playing and anonymous essay writing. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 1966, 4, 1–13.
SimonS.B., & KirschenbaumH.Readings in values clarification.Minneapolis: Winston, 1973.
12.
StewartJ.S.Problems and contradictions of values clarification. In PurpelD., and RyanK. (Eds.), Moral education … It comes with the territory.Berkeley, CA: McCutchan, 1976.
13.
VitzP.C.Values clarification in the schools. New Oxford Review, 1981, June, 15–20.
