Studies on Moral Competence: Proposals and Dilemmas for Discussion

This book shows how to use discussions of moral dilemmas as a strategy to develop moral competence in children and youth in educational environments using the Konstanz Method of Dilemma Discussion (KMDD). This method was developed by the German psychologist Georg Lind (1847-2021), who defines moral competence as an ability to solve problems and conflicts based on moral principles or values, through reflection, dialogue and deliberation, instead of using force, violence, deception and manipulation. According to Lind, this ability can be developed in children and youth through KMDD.

The book has two parts. The first part brings together an original chapter written by Georg Lind about his decades of research on assessment and education of moral competence, and other 13 chapters written by different authors analyzing the theoretical foundations of moral development and moral competence as psychological constructs and their applications to different aspects of social life, as well as empirical research analyzing the application of different methods of dilemma discussion in educational contexts. The second part presents 20 moral dilemmas to be used in dilemma discussion sessions.

Studies on Moral Competence: Proposals and Dilemmas for Discussion is the English edition of a book originally published in Portuguese for the Brazilian market and will be of interest to teachers and researchers interested in learning about the theoretical foundations and possible applications of an effective method to develop moral competence in educational environments.

The translation was done with the help of artificial intelligence. A subsequent human revision was done primarily in terms of content.

​Patricia Unger Raphael Bataglia is a professor at the Department of Education and Human Development of the School of Philosophy and Sciences of the São Paulo State University (UNESP) in Marília, Brazil, and the leader of the Research Group on Moral Psychology and Integral Education (GEPPEI). She holds a PhD in Social Psychology from the University of São Paulo, Brazil.
Cristiane Paiva Alves is a professor at the School of Philosophy and Sciences of the São Paulo State University (UNESP) in Marília, Brazil, and vice-leader of the Research Group on Moral Psychology and Integral Education (GEPPEI). She holds a BA in Occupational Therapy from UNESP and a PhD in Special Education from the Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), Brazil. She also holds a title of specialist in Neurology and Rehabilitation of Upper Limbs from UFSCar.
Elvira Maria P. Pimentel Ribeiro Parente holds a BA and a Master’s degree in Education from the State University of Feira de Santana (UEFS), Brazil, and is a PhD candidate at the Graduate Program in Education of the State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Brazil. She is the coordinator of the Group of Studies on Moral Education (GEEM) and a member of the Group of Research and Studies on Moral Education (GEPEM), both at Feira de Santana, Brazil.