ABSTRACT
This chapter examines ideas about categorisation, labelling and stereotyping; the extent to which this is part of what happens in schools; and the implications for how teachers may view themselves and their professional role. It suggests that some of what happens within education is immoral, though not necessarily illegal. A question to be answered is: in the circumstances in which many find themselves, is it possible for teachers to practice ethically and morally? These issues are revisited from a slightly different perspective. The human mind must think with the aid of categories. Once formed, categories are the basis for normal prejudgement. In the field of education, as so often may seem the case, new ideas take a while to take hold. Labels are potentially one of the great moral villains in the way they help create and perpetuate prejudice and stereotypes. They are easy and convenient to use.
