Transcript Kohlberg`s Stages of moral development - Middle College

Lawrence Kohlberg
1927-1983
Moral Development Theory in
1969
Kohlberg’s Stages
of moral
development
The “Heinz” Dilemma
In Europe, a woman was near death from cancer.
One drug might save her, a form of
radium that a druggist in the same town had
recently discovered. The druggist was
charging $2,000, ten times what the drug cost him to
make. The sick woman’s
husband, Heinz, went to everyone he knew to
borrow the money, but he could only get
together about half of what it cost. He told the
druggist that his wife was dying and
asked him to sell it cheaper or let him pay later, but
the
druggist said, “No.” The husband got desperate and
broke into the man’s store to
steal the drug for his wife. Should the husband have
done that? Why? Why not?
Moral Development
Stage Theory
Pre-Conventional
Conventional
Post-Conventional
Level 1, Stage 1-Pre-ConventionalObedience and Punishment
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Assumption that powerful authorities will
hand down fixed rules/laws. The goal is to
avoid trouble. If you get punished, that
proves it is wrong. The main question:
“Will I get in trouble?”
Level 1, Stage 2Individualism/Exchange-Self
Interest
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What is right for the individual.
Rules are relative to the individual.
Punishment is a risk.
Speak as isolated individuals.
In relation to self. Important question:
“What’s in it for me?”
Level 2-Conventional , Stage 3Good Boy/Good Girl-Conformity
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Morality is more than a deal.
Intentions are important-motives based on
feelings of love, empathy, concern for others.
Character traits of the good person.
Based on social norms/expectations.
Important question: “What would a good
boy/girl do?”
Level 2, Stage 4-Law and Order
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Concern for society as a whole.
Obeying one’s duty to society.
Think outside the self and have concern for a
well-functioning society.
Important question: “What would happen if
we all broke the law?”
Level 3 Post-Conventional, Stage
5- Social Contract-Human Rights
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Social contract in which all freely enter in order to
benefit to all.
Core values/morals/ethics.
Impartiality and equal respect-through another’s
eyes. Change through democratic processes.
Important Questions: “What makes for a good
society? What rights should a society uphold?”
Level 3, Stage 6-Principled
Conscience-Universal Ethics
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Similar to stage 5 but based on universal principles
like “all men are created equal.”
Allows for civil disobedience.
MLK and just laws.
Orientation towards conscience.
Important Question: “Based on the organizing
principles of my life and my highly developed
philosophical/ethical values, what should I do in this
situation”