Kohlberg

Lawrence Kohlberg (1927-1987) was a wellknown theorist in the field of moral development. He posed moral dilemmas (e.g., Heinz Dilemma) to his subjects then asked questions to probe their reasons for recommending a specific course of action. 1

KOHLBERG’S THEORY OF MORAL DEVELOPMENT Organismic-Developmental Theory Universal, Invariant Sequence of Hierarchical Stages

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All people are born with the same innate genetic abilities to assimilate and accommodate. All human societies present people with the same moral challenges.

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HEINZ DILEMMA Scenario 1 A woman was near death fr om a unique ki nd of cancer . There is a drug t hat mi ght save her. The dr ug cost $4, 000 per dosage. The si ck woman' s husband, Hei nz, went to everyone he knew to borrow t he m oney and tri ed every legal means, but he coul d onl y get t ogether about $2, 000. H e asked the doctor/ sci enti st w ho di scovered the drug for a di scount or to l et hi m pay later. B ut the doctor/ sci entist ref us ed.

Shoul d Heinz break into the l abor atory t o 4

Scenario 2 Heinz broke into the laboratory and stole the drug. The next day the newspapers reported the break-in and theft. Brown, a police officer and a friend of Heinz, remembered seeing Heinz last evening, behaving suspiciously near the laboratory. Later that night he saw Heinz running away from the laboratory.

Should Brown report what he saw? Why or why not?

Scenario 3 Officer Brown reported what he saw. Heinz was arrested and brought to court. Heinz was found guilty.

Should the judge sentence Heinz to prison? Why or why not? 5

Piaget FO

KOHLBERG POST-CONVENTIONAL REASONING 6. Universal Principled Reasoning 5. Social Contract Reasoning

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CONVENTIONAL REASONING 4. Law and Order Reasoning 3. Good Boy, Nice Girl Reasoning

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PRE-CONVENTIONAL REASONING 2. Instrumental Hedonism

1. Punishment and Obedience Reasoning

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PRE-CONVENTIONAL REASONING No ability to take the perspective of another. What’s moral is what’s good for me. 7

STAGE 1

(PRE-CONVENTIONAL REASONING)

I do that which brings reward or pleasure. I avoid that which brings punishment or pain. Pleasing POWERFUL OTHERS is the basis of morality. Actions are judged by their consequences, not by intent.

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STAGE 2

(PRE-CONVENTIONAL REASONING)

I still feel that what is moral is what is good for me, but now I have the cognitive ability to understand that others have motivations. Because I am egocentric I assume that others have the same selfish motivation as I do. Therefore, I try to manipulate others in order to get my way. (You give me what I want, and I’ll give you what you want.) 9

STAGE 2

(PRE-CONVENTIONAL REASONING cont.)

Market Exchange Morality

I'll scratch your back; you scratch mine. 10

CONVENTIONAL REASONING The person develops an ability to understand both interpersonal reciprocity and rules and norms that apply to all. What is moral is what is normative (3) and legal (4). Rules and laws are now more important than one’s individual desires. 11

STAGE 3

(CONVENTIONAL REASONING)

Morality consists of following the rules and norms of the group. Those who do not follow them or who cannot meet group standards are considered to be evil or bad and not worthy of respect.

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STAGE 3

(CONVENTIONAL REASONING, cont.)

Often a powerful leader may determine what is considered to be moral. Stereotyping Disagreements are settled by attacking or shunning the nonconformer and by inter-group conflict.

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STAGE 4

(CONVENTIONAL REASONING)

Morality consists of following the law and abiding by legal agreements. An understanding of contractual obligations develops. Disagreements are settled by going to court. Following proper legal procedures is a fundamental part of morality. 14

POST-CONVENTIONAL REASONING Protecting each individual’s RIGHTS is the basis of morality. The current political/legal system is seen as one among many hypothetical possibilities. And that system must be changed if it does not protect individual rights.

What is moral is what is just. 15

POST-CONVENTIONAL REASONING Once again the individual becomes more important than societal rules or laws. But individual rights, rather than selfish individual desires, become the basis for making moral judgments. 16

STAGE 5

(POST-CONVENTIONAL REASONING)

SO CI AL CON TRAC T M ORAL ITY Society is viewed as a social contract among individuals. This contract is entered into in order to protect each person’s rights. Laws that deny a person or groups equal rights are immoral. Conflicts among rights are resolved by employing the utilitarian principle 17

STAGE 6

(POST-CONVENTIONAL REASONING)

Reasoning is based upon a UNIVERSAL principle of morality. Morality is no longer tied to a particular political system (social contract). 18

STAGE 6

(POST-CONVENTIONAL REASONING)

GOLDEN RULE LOVE THY NEIGHBOR AS THYSELF! We make moral judgments as though we do not know which person we are in any given moral situation. An individual does not distinguish him/herself from her/his neighbor when making moral judgments. 19

STAGE 6

(POST-CONVENTIONAL REASONING)

• Moral judgments are based on this universal principle (golden rule). • Rights are still paramount. • Moral judgments are no longer bound to any particular moral code or social contract!

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KOHLBERG CLAIMS TO HAVE IDENTIFIED A UNIVERSAL PRINCIPLE OF MORALITY. In all societies, using the golden rule principle will result in arriving at the just solution to moral problems and dilemmas. 21

Piaget’s Stages FORMAL OPERATIONAL--ability to understand

hypothetical abstractions; understand that

physical reality reality represents only one of many hypothetical possibilities CONCRETE OPERATIONAL--logical thinking about the concrete world; ability to understand rules of physical reality.

PRE-OPERATIONAL--egocentric thinking; world viewed from the individual’s perspective; no ability to take the perspective of the other 22

UTILITARIAN PRINCIPLE (The right to life takes precedence over all other rights.) When one individual’s rights are in conflict with those of another, we choose the action that brings the greatest good to the greatest number. (Winners win more than the losers lose.)

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