Ethical illiteracy: a tool to control and manipulate in neoliberal societies

Abstract

The most recent Democracy Index report indicates that Italy has not yet achieved full democratic status. This prompts reflection, also from an educational perspective, on the numerous countries that, while not formal dictatorships, require significant efforts to achieve full democratic status. This article presents the findings of an ongoing qualitative research project on the concept of ethical illiteracy, which is intertwined with the notions of cultural hegemony and semiocapitalism. The aim of this paper is to examine potential educational interventions that could be employed to counteract the phenomena that facilitate the control of citizens in neoliberal societies. Ethical illiteracy represents a means of manipulation and perpetuates an individualistic society, which serves to maintain social control. In contrast, transformative educational strategies at the early childhood education level could serve as an avenue for limiting its propagation and advancing emancipation.