A Study On Durkheim’s Thoughts Of Three Elements Of Morality

It is universally acknowledged that, in any society, morality performs animportant function that is the foundation of social relationship and the cornerstone ofinterpersonal harmony. Advancing the traditional virtues of the Chinese nation, and atthe same time, strengthening the socialist ideological and moral construction is astrategic task of the Party and the country also is obligations to each Chinese.Although China has been attaching great importance to moral education allthrough the ages, with the process of reform and opening-up policy, many problemshave occurred in social morality, some of which are spiritual conflicts arising from theEast-West cultural collisions as well as clashes giving rise to the traditional ideas andthe modern consciousness along with abundant material wealth. Accompanied by suchsocial transformation and system transition, it is necessary to lead people live in ahealthy spirit and act in a moral way. Moral education will play an important role inthis significant task.Durkheim, as well as we do, experienced a society which had been dramaticallychanged. His Three Elements of Morality and his thought on moral education based onthe three elements of morality were worked out in such circumstances. For this reason,rereading his thought may provide theoretical and practice reference for moraleducation in contemporary China.This dissertation consists of three parts.The first one is the introduction of the setting of Durkheim’s view on threeelements of morality and his theoretical considerations on moral education. In this partDurkheim’s reflections of ethics thoughts is the main innovation of the dissertation.The second part of the dissertation, which I highlight for the reader Durkheim’sidea of morality, deals with what is called moral theory: theory of duty, of the good, ofautonomy. Here, I would like to fix on the major themes in Moral Education, and onrelated issues bearing on Durkheim’s ethical thoughts. This part should comprise threesections—one on the spirit of discipline, the second on sacrifice, and the third onautonomy of the will. Each of them studies here from a specifically ethical point ofview.First of all, the first element of morality is the spirit of discipline, compounded by regularity of conduct and authority, which is the demand of healthy development ofhuman nature and the guarantee of orderly operation of the social security. In the nextplace, the second element of morality is the spirit of sacrifice: attachment to, oridentification with, the social groups. This kind of spirit is not only the source ofindividual happiness but also the basis of perfect personality. Finally, the third vitalelement of morality is autonomy or self-determination which demonstrates personalselection in the light of reason. The first two elements of morality appear to point toends, and the third to the selection of means for their achievement. Therefore, theautonomy turns into the real end of moral education.In the end of dissertation, I want to rethink profoundly of the value andenlightenment on moral thought of three elements according to the current Chinesesituation. Durkheim offers us the legacy of a powerful mind. His perceptive andinstructive propositions sparkle throughout the ages. Hence, it is of great importance tore-interpret his moral education theory.