The difference between indoctrination and education

[TheGreatGatsby]

Most of us here can probably agree that it is wrong to indoctrinate a child into a particular religion or nonreligion (not sure this word exists).

However, the teaching of moral and ethical principles to them is very rarely frowned upon, except in cases when these principles do not conform to widely accepted attitudes.

How can we justify the moral indoctrination of children? Why do we not simply let them choose their own path?

[Vogon]

It depends on whether or not you believe that morality & eithics are things that are taught, or is something that is naturally present within humans.

We all (or at least the majority) have a natural revulsion towards incest, it something that doesn't need to be taught. We know instinctively both in a moral and ethical sense that its not acceptable, steaming of course from the reality that it doesn't make good evolutionary sense to mate with your siblings or parents due to the high risk of deformity/abnormality.

Where a parent has a particular moral/ethical standpoint, its probably better that they don't present it as an argument from authority to their children but rather present it as a position that can be argued for or against. I think this is quite common, not as a conscious choice but as a natural process of education.

Perhaps the best thing to teach to a child is the joy of critical thought, that way they can asses for themselves the validity of any idea their parents impart on them. If all parents, both theist and atheist did this then the world would be full of healthy, happy skeptics.

[PsychoSerenity]

A basic understanding of what society thinks of as right or wrong is a vital tool for surviving in that society. Not teaching children morals would be like not teaching them language (and it would be just as difficult to do, you'd have to actively work against their natural ability to pick it up from their surroundings).

The moral values of society are also constantly changing, and mostly progressing, towards more rational concepts. The moral values I consider to be most important are the ones that most accurately reflect the real world - and this is where you can see the difference between education and indoctrination - not teaching morals as a list of right and wrong, but explaining why certain things are considered right and wrong, and how those attitudes work in society.

[Trolldor]

Most of us here can probably agree that it is wrong to indoctrinate a child into a particular religion or nonreligion (not sure this word exists).

However, the teaching of moral and ethical principles to them is very rarely frowned upon, except in cases when these principles do not conform to widely accepted attitudes.

How can we justify the moral indoctrination of children? Why do we not simply let them choose their own path?

Indoctrination:

"Do this."

Education:
"What would you do and why?"

[Gawdzilla Sama]

Indoctrination: Beliefs
Education: Facts.

[Hermit]

...it is wrong to indoctrinate a child...

...the teaching of moral and ethical principles to them is very rarely frowned upon...

Where is the problem?

[Santa_Claus]

important to teach a child the rules of your society (whether laws or morals) and also where they come from and what purpose they serve to both the Society and to the individual.

And you don't need Woo to do that - although it probably makes it easier to teach.

IMO one of the failings of Atheism / Secularism is not filling the gap left by religions in educating children on the rights & wrongs and that there are not any inherent wrongs...........it's basically about practical rules that allows societies to function, and for the individual that involves a trade off for the benefit of the greater good.