The Research Of Thomas Lickona's Character Education Theory

Character education has become one of the main aspects of the moral education in American schools just after the theories of moral cognition-development and value clarification fade out. And the character educational campaign has already become a national education crusade participated in by the whole people. Character education is to help students know what the virtues are, appreciate their importance and develop them, which gives a clear object and correct content to the moral education in schools. As a result, after about thirties years' development, the theory and practice of Character Education have become complex and plentiful.Thomas Lickona, as a leader of character educational campaign, has become a famous moral educator. Based on former moral education theories, by digging into traditional virtues, Thomas Lickona put forward a new moral education theory, which is the newest moral education in America. By some degree, the theory exceeds the traditional moral education theories, being more reasonable and practicable.This paper, based on a large quantity of materials, by means of comparative study method and phenomenal study method, analyzes the background of Thomas Lickona's character education theory. By comparing with traditional moral theories, we analyze the genesis and base of the theory. In second part, the paper gives an outline of the object, content, method, principle of Thomas Lickona's character education theory, and points out how to construct character family, character class, character school, character community. Finally, the paper gives a basic comment on Thomas Lickona's character education theory. An idea has been put forward that the development of character education will play a helpful role in enlightening the development of our schools' moral education.