Ethics, Empathy and Interpretation: The Educational Potential of Literature in Book Clubs

Amanda Černoša

Summary:  The article explores the role of literature in fostering ethical attitudes, empathy, and tolerance in the secondary school context. The theoretical framework draws on contemporary critical pedagogy and feminology, which attribute a special significance to the arts as a space for developing reflection, moral sensitivity, and subjectification. The study focuses on how literary experiences can contribute to the personal and social development of young people and to their moral formation. A qualitative study involving fifteen adolescent heavy readers showed that students perceive literature as an important tool for self-understanding and personal growth. Participants emphasized that engagement with diverse literary worlds and characters strengthens their tolerance and prosocial behaviour in everyday interactions. They also reported that reading literature promotes moral development through greater consideration for others, demonstrating that ethical attitudes are not formed solely within a vacuum of abstract rules. The findings further suggest that discussing literary texts can contribute to building a stronger, more inclusive community.