On The Occurrence Of Individual Morality

The genesis of individual morality refers to the process of how a newly- bom "natural man", with unaffected and ignorant characteristics, gradually grows into an elementary "moral man", possessing autonomous moral consciousness and distinctive moral personality. In the final analysis, it refers to the process of the formation of autonomous morality. A further and systematical study of this process is, undoubtedly, of momentous significance not only to enrich and advance Marxism Ethics theory, but also to promote the Socialist Spiritual Civilization Construction. Based on the analysis and summary of scientific research achievements on the genesis of individual morality, this thesis, moral psychologically and moral sociologically, lays emphasis on illustrating the fundamental principles and general laws of the genesis of individual morality.Ancient and modern thinkers, both aboard and at home, have constantly inquired into the genesis of individual morality, originating various kinds of theories, which, generally speaking, fall into three categories, namely, the congenital genesis, the external molding and the active construction. The above - mentioned theories, respectively, have the merits and defects of their own.According to the fundamental principles of Marxism Ethics, the individual morality is sure to generate because of its important function. Individual morality is not only the indispensable step to perfect the society, but also the inevitable requirement for the individual to be consummated by adjusting himself. The genesis of individual morality also depends on a certain foundation and prerequisite, among which social relationship and communication practice is its objective foundation, the evolution of subject's cognition its subjective prerequisite, environment andeducation its significant factors.In the light of the way and features of its function, the mechanism of the genesis consists of the external and the internal. Moral psychologically, the thesis mainly probes into its internal mechanism. The genesis of individual morality is constituted by such two closely connected stages as the genesis and evolution of heteronomous morality, as well as the formation of autonomous morality. As for the first stage, observation and imitation is the overwhelming majority of psychological mechanism. In the transformation of individual morality from heteronomy to autonomy, the crux mechanism is role - taking, including perspective - taking and empathy.The reason why individuals keep on imitating the behavior of exterior moral subjects, stick to adopt others' perspective and share the common feelings is that there exists one intensive impetus hid inside. Concretely speaking, the contradiction between the individual morality level and the moral requirement of exterior moral subjects is the fundamental impetus of the genesis; and the emotion tension between individual and exterior moral subjects is its important motive power. Finally, by carefully analyzing the advantages and disadvantages of the traditional pattern of moral education in critical view, and trying to construct the modern one, this thesis believes in that the principle of combining respect with demand, emotion with ration, education with self- education must be followed in order to construct the pattern of modern moral education, which meet the generating and developing laws of children's morality. Meanwhile, such measures as example - demonstration, circumstances -discussion and role-making can be adopted to enhance the actual effects of moral education.