A Metacognition of the Objectives and Principles of Moral Training of Children Based on the Views of Avicenna

Abstract The general purpose of this study is to have a metacognition of developing moral training of children on the basis of Avicenna’s educational thought in terms of explaining the concept and identifying its components as well as its objectives and principles. According to Avicenna, moral training is composed of teaching ethical principles and values ​​and trying to cultivate a tendency toward moral virtues and avoidance from moral vices. On the one hand, moral training of people guarantees their perfection and wellbeing in this world and in the hereafter. On the other hand, moral training means one's possession of moral virtues and good habits according to which he will have the ability to distinguish good deeds from evil deeds, and growth from astray. The objectives of moral training, according to Avicenna, consist of two phases of ultimate and intermediate goals. The ultimate goal proposed by Avicenna includes reaching to the intimacy of the First Righteousness. The intermediary goals, which are indeed the means of attaining the ultimate goal, include austerity, moral self-knowledge, fulfillment of rational soul, self-esteem, and acquaintance with the holy Prophet’s Ahlulbait. Avicenna’s principles of moral education include: discipline, persuasion and warning, modelling, avoidance of extremes and consideration of children’s morals. It can be understood from Avicenna’s saying that moderation must be kept in mind in the moral training of the children.