O'Mathúna Dónal P
School of Nursing and DCU Institute of Ethics, Dublin City University.
Monash Bioeth Rev. 2008 Jan-Apr;27(1-2):42-55. doi: 10.1007/BF03351295.
A connection has long been made between music and moral education. Recent discussions have focused on concerns that certain lyrics can lead to acceptance of violence, suicide, inappropriate views of women, and other unethical behaviour. Debate over whether such connections exist at least illustrates that popular songs engage listeners with ethical issues; this arises from the unique blend of emotional and cognitive reactions to music. And while the emotional side of ethics has received less attention than other aspects of ethics, it is important and music can be a powerful and unique tool to introduce the emotional aspects of ethics. Music appeals to almost everyone. Throughout history songs have rallied people to action and drawn people into deeper reflection. Music engages our emotions, our imagination and our intellect. Students already spend many hours listening to songs, some of which address ethical issues; it is thus an ideal pedagogic aid in teaching subjects like ethics. This article will discuss how carefully selected songs can encourage thoughtful reflection and critical thinking about ethical issues: a number of specific examples will be described, along with a discussion of the general practicalities of using popular songs in teaching ethics and a demonstration of how students learn to listen critically and actively reflect on the ethical messages they receive. The enjoyment of music helps to engage students with ethics and its relevance for their lives and careers. This article aims to share some of the excitement and enthusiasm that popular songs have brought to my teaching of ethics.
长期以来，音乐与道德教育之间一直存在着联系。最近的讨论集中在某些歌词可能导致人们接受暴力、自杀、对女性的不当看法以及其他不道德行为的担忧上。关于这种联系是否存在的争论至少表明，流行歌曲会让听众思考伦理问题；这源于对音乐的情感和认知反应的独特融合。虽然伦理的情感层面比伦理的其他方面受到的关注较少，但它很重要，而且音乐可以成为引入伦理情感层面的有力且独特的工具。音乐几乎吸引所有人。纵观历史，歌曲激励人们采取行动，并促使人们进行更深入的思考。音乐能触动我们的情感、想象力和智力。学生们已经花很多时间听歌曲，其中一些涉及伦理问题；因此，在教授伦理等课程时，它是一种理想的教学辅助工具。本文将讨论精心挑选的歌曲如何能够鼓励对伦理问题进行深入思考和批判性思维：将描述一些具体例子，同时讨论在伦理教学中使用流行歌曲的一般实际操作，并展示学生如何学会批判性地聆听并积极思考他们所接收到的伦理信息。对音乐的欣赏有助于让学生参与到伦理及其与他们生活和职业的相关性的学习中。本文旨在分享流行歌曲给我的伦理教学带来的一些兴奋和热情。
