Role of Literature in Moral Education: An Interdisciplinary and Contemporary Discourse
 
Shesadev Parida
Research Scholar, Department of Sanskrit
Utkal University, Vani Vihar, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
Email: parida.shesadev65@gmail.com
 
Abstract: Moral education has always been central to the development of humane individuals and ethical societies. In the contemporary world, marked by rapid technological advancement, globalization, individualism, and moral uncertainty, the need for effective moral education has become more urgent than ever. Literature, as an artistic and cultural expression of human experience, plays a significant role in shaping moral consciousness and ethical understanding. This conference paper explores the role of literature in moral education from historical, philosophical, psychological, and educational perspectives. The study analyzes how literary texts—classical and modern—function as instruments of moral instruction by presenting ethical dilemmas, character models, emotional engagement, and social critique. Adopting a qualitative and analytical approach, the paper argues that literature remains one of the most effective and enduring tools for moral education, fostering empathy, moral reasoning, character formation, and social responsibility. The paper concludes by emphasizing the relevance of literature in contemporary education and the necessity of integrating literary studies into value-based learning frameworks.

Keywords: Literature, Moral Education, Ethics, Values, Empathy, Character Formation