CIVICS AND ETHICS AND WHY THEY ARE TWINED TO BE DELIVERD IN SCHOOLS
Before we start looking why Ethics and Civics are twined to be delivered in school,
let us see what they are individually.
Ethics
Let’s start with Ethics. Ethics refers to well-founded standards of right and
wrong that prescribe what humans ought to do, usually in terms of rights,
obligations, benefits to society, fairness, or specific virtues. Ethics, for example,
refers to those standards that impose the reasonable obligations to refrain from
rape, stealing, murder, assault, slander, and fraud. Ethical standards also include
those that enjoin virtues of honesty, compassion, and loyalty. And, ethical
standards include standards relating to rights, such as the right to life, the right to
freedom from injury, and the right to privacy. Such standards are adequate
standards of ethics because they are supported by consistent and well-founded
reasons.
Ethics also refers to the study and development of one's ethical
standards. As mentioned above, feelings, laws, and social norms can
deviate from what is ethical. One should not identify ethics with religion.
Most religions, of course, advocate high ethical standards. Yet if ethics were
confined to religion, then ethics would apply only to religious people. But ethics
applies as much to the behavior of the atheist as to that of the devout religious
person. Religion can set high ethical standards and can provide intense
motivations for ethical behavior. Ethics, however, cannot be confined to religion
nor is it the same as religion
Civic
Civic education is the study of the theoretical, political, and practical aspects
of citizenship manifest as political rights, civil rights, and legal obligations Civic
education includes the study of civil law, the civil codes, and government with
especial attention to the political role of the citizens in the operation and
oversight of government
Civic education is the process of educating citizens on their rights, responsibilities,
and duties to empower and motivate them to identify what areas of the political
and governance processes Civic education is the process of educating citizens
with the knowledge, skills, and insight necessary
for active and informed participation in their community and society. It aims
to impart a sense of responsibility and empower people to contribute to the
functioning of a democratic society.
The main aspects of civic education are:
Knowledge of the principles of democracy:
This includes learning about different democratic systems, citizens' rights
and responsibilities, and the importance of political participation.
Learning about government and the law:
Civic education allows one to understand the structure and workings of
government, the law, and rights and responsibilities under the law.
Developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills:
Civic education enables critical analysis of information, evaluation of
different perspectives, and strong capacity to dialogue constructively.
Encouraging civic engagement:
This entails encouraging involvement in local affairs, volunteering, and
other social activities.
Creating a sense of responsibility:
Civic education encourages citizens to act responsibly and work for the
common good.
Civic education may take numerous forms like learning in the classroom,
community learning, and learning through engagement in democratic
processes
why the two are twined to be delivered in schools?
Individual ethics are intertwined with civics when the focus of concern is
broadened from the individual to consideration of the community or society in
which they live. It’s not a giant leap to say that it is a natural pairing
Ethics and civics are commonly taught as a combined subject in
schools since both of them deal with
basic questions of how a person is supposed to behave in society and
the values that guide interpersonal interactions. The following are some of the
main reasons why they are combined in education:
Common Values: Both subjects stress the application of values like justice,
fairness, and
responsibility. Combining them in teaching assists students in comprehending ho
w ethical issues shape civic responsibilities.
Informed Citizenship: Civics equips one with the rights and responsibilities of
citizens, and ethics provokes critical thinking about
moral matters. Both together prepare students to take part intelligently and
responsibly in democratic life.
Critical Thinking Skills: Both subjects promote critical thinking
and logic. The consideration of ethical inquiries within a civic
context allows students to analyze complex societal problems and develop
informed opinions.
Real-World Application: Ethical issues are often encountered in civic life, such as
in discussions on laws, policies, and social justice. Integrating these subjects
allows students to see the real-world applications of ethical decision-making
in government and public life.
Holistic Education: Education aims to create complete human
beings. Through the incorporation of ethics and civics, schools can help students
cultivate moral reasoning alongside their understanding of political and
social institutions.
"መናገር ብር ነው፤ ዝምታ ወርቅ ነው" ("Speaking is silver; silence is gold") –
Emphasizes the ethical value of restraint and the civic importance of measured
speech.
While ethics and civics may intersect in certain areas, such as discussions of
ethical responsibilities of citizens or ethical considerations in political decision-
making, they have their own unique perspectives and academic frameworks.
Ethics primarily explores moral principles and the nature of ethics itself, while
civics concentrates on the rights, duties, and participation of individuals in society.
It is worth noting that both ethics and civics play crucial roles in shaping
individuals' understanding of their roles as members of a society and in
developing their moral compass. By studying ethics, individuals gain a deeper
understanding of moral values and ethical dilemmas, enabling them to make
informed decisions. Civics education, on the other hand, equips individuals with
knowledge about their rights and responsibilities as citizens, promoting active
engagement and informed participation in civic affairs.
ethics and civics are distinct academic disciplines, each with its own focus and
areas of study. While they share some commonalities and overlap in certain
aspects, they provide unique perspectives on morality, ethical decision-making,
and civic participation. Both disciplines contribute to the development of
individuals who are knowledgeable, ethically aware, and actively engaged in their
communities and societies.
ARGUMENT
We all know that civics and ethics are two separate
Subjects. But in my opinion delivering them together
in school is a good move because a good citizen
must have a strong moral base combined with
a solid awareness of their rights and duties
If the students are only taught civics separately
They will have a good awareness of the law but they
Will be lacking the ethical judgment to apply it fairly
On the other hand If they are only taught Ethics separately they will be
morally pure people who don’t know any thing
about participating in civic life .
Schools ensure that students learn about how society
Works and how they can engage in a useful and equitable
way by integrating the Two subjects
Therefore the integration of ethics and civics creates
responsible, active and ethical conscious citizens
Conclusion
Ethics, also known as moral philosophy, is a branch of philosophy that examines
concepts of right and wrong, moral principles, and ethical reasoning. It explores
questions related to individual and societal values, ethical decision-making, and
the nature of moral obligations. Ethics delves into various ethical theories and
frameworks, such as consequentialism, deontology, and virtue ethics, and applies
them to different contexts and situations.
On the other hand, civics, also referred to as civic education or citizenship
education, is a field of study that focuses on the rights, responsibilities, and
participation of individuals in society. It encompasses the study of government
structures, political processes, civic engagement, and the roles and duties of
citizens. Civics education aims to foster informed and active citizenship,
encouraging individuals to understand and contribute to the functioning of
democratic societies.
The integration of ethics and civics in education helps students gain a
comprehensive perspective of themselves as citizens, and it encourages them to
think critically about their roles and the ethical implications of their actions in
society.
References
Civics and Ethics: An Interwoven Foundation
https://www.scu.edu/ethics/
markkula center for applied ethics
ETHIOPIAN GRADE 10 CIVICS TEXT BOOK
ETHIOPIAN CIVICS GRADE 7 TEXT BOOK
GRADE 12 CIVICS TEXT BOOK
https://fetena.net/books/grade-12/civics-and-ethical-education
https://mkauw.wordpress.com/2022/09/22/amharic-proverbs/
https://www.neaea.com/ethiopian-grade-5-civics-textbook/
https://www.neaea.com/grade-10-civics-textbook/
