The Sociology of Virtue Schools are one of the primary institutions in communities that assist in the moral education of youth. They are responsible not only for a student's mind but also for his character. Some believe that civic life in America is collapsing, or, worse yet, that a healthy civil society is no longer possible. Many believe that this propensity of Americans to gather together to pursue common interests makes us unique as a nation. One recent discussion of the decline of civil society, by political scientist Robert Putnam, purported to present a significant amount of evidence documenting that Americans are not joining these groups and clubs as frequently as they once did.
Religious institutions have a vital role to play in revitalizing our civic communities.
This task falls under the banner of fostering the sociology of virtue. Today's sociology of virtue . The effectiveness of the Catholic school cannot be understood solely through its academic requirements, communal organization, social behaviors, or other instrumental characteristics, important though these are. In this sense, as Alfred North Whitehead observed, all education is religious. Within this context, the purpose of schooling is to foster in students an ethical sense and moral vision that support the common good.