Conflict between Norms and Care in Morality

Redefining “Observance of Rules” and “Tolerance”  from the Perspective of “Second-person Engagement”

Abstract

 The purpose of this research is to find the way to resolve the conflict between two moral values “observance of rules” and “tolerance” by introducing caring ethics (Gilligan, 1982; Mayeroff, 1971; Noddings, 1984).  For that purpose, the authors tried to redefine these values referring to the concept of “second-person engagement” and “third-person engagement” (Sayeki, 2017) through analyzing cases in junior high schools.

The case analysis firstly indicates that “second-person engagement” can resolve the conflict while “third-person engagement” causes it.  Next, “second-person engagement” is the environment/ecology in which a student grows up as an agent who observes rules.  “Observance of rules” can be regarded as a mark of student’s attitude toward others by “second-person engagement”.  Finally, caring as “tolerance” does not mean unconditional pampering but acceptance of the present status of students in the context of their growth.

The norms carried by diverse individuals and the caring for diversity are the essential conditions for school to be a place where students develop ethical minds.  Based on this understanding, it is suggested that daily student guidance and school management could be advanced.