Final answer:
In George Orwell's novel 1984, the morals and ethics of children are shaped by the totalitarian regime to ensure loyalty to the state, suppressing natural emotions and ethical development for political control. This reflects a society where morality serves state interests, rather than individual moral autonomy.
Step-by-step explanation:
The morals and ethics of children in George Orwell's novel 1984 reflect the regime's totalitarian control over society. In 1984, children are indoctrinated by the Party at a young age, being taught to spy on and report any potential disloyalty, even if it involves their parents. This suggests that the moral development of children in the novel is heavily influenced by the oppressive political climate, which promotes loyalty to the state above all else.
According to Gilligan, an ethics of care is vital for ideal moral thought, where children should be taught to value empathy and emotional understanding. However, in the world of 1984, the totalitarian regime suppresses natural emotions to maintain control. This disconnects individuals from their intrinsic ethical responsibilities to care for one another, thereby corrupting the traditional moral development process and instead instilling a dehumanized morality that serves the state's interests.
The concept of morality evolves from the pre-conventional stage in childhood to the post-conventional stage in adulthood, yet in 1984, the Party deliberately stunts this development, preventing individuals from reaching a level of moral autonomy. The novel demonstrates a grim outlook where legality and morality are not aligned, reflecting a society in which ethical principles are subordinate to the whims of an autocratic government.