Lecture on Stages of Moral Development According to Lawrence Kohlberg 🧠

Introduction

• Kohlberg's theory: Morality develops in six stages, structured into three levels: Preconventional, Conventional, and Postconventional.
• Conflict scenario: Schoolyard fight involving Ninth-graders beating Tom is used to illustrate the stages.

Preconventional Level

Stage 1: Obedience and Punishment Orientation

• Morality is based on avoiding punishment.
• Example: Finn sees his friend in a fight but doesn’t intervene due to fear of punishment.
• Question Finn asks: How can I avoid punishment?

Stage 2: Self-Interest Orientation

• Morality is driven by personal gain.
• Example: Mary helps Tom because she believes he might help her in the future.
• Question Mary asks: What’s in it for me?

Conventional Level

Stage 3: Interpersonal Accord and Conformity

• Morality is influenced by social approval and maintaining relationships.
• Example: Betty decides not to intervene in the fight to maintain her image as a good girl in the eyes of others.
• Question Betty asks: What do others think of me?

Stage 4: Authority and Social Order Maintaining Orientation

• Morality is based on obeying laws and maintaining social order.
• Example: A teacher intervenes to stop the fight, seeing it as his duty to uphold the rules.
• Question Teacher asks: How can I maintain order and law?

Postconventional Level

Stage 5: Social Contract Orientation

• Understanding rules as flexible tools for serving the greater good.
• Example: Jessie questions the rules when observing the fight and wonders if breaking them could sometimes be justified.
• Question Jessie asks: Do the rules really serve everyone's best interest?

Stage 6: Universal Ethical Principles

• Morality is guided by internal principles of justice and compassion, surpassing social laws.
• Example: The principal explains the importance of fairness and that unjust rules should not be followed.
• Question Principal asks: What abstract ethical principles support my understanding of justice?

Summary of the Levels

• Preconventional: Morality based on direct consequences (common in children).
• Conventional: Morality based on social norms and laws (common in teenagers and adults).
• Postconventional: Morality based on ethical principles and personal moral reasoning (not everyone reaches this stage).

Kohlberg's Research

• Inspired by Jean Piaget’s theory of cognitive development.
• Studied boys aged 10-16 by analyzing their responses to moral dilemmas.

Kohlberg's Famous Dilemma: The Heinz Dilemma

Scenario

• Heinz’s wife is dying; the only cure is extremely expensive.
• Heinz can't afford it, even with help, so he contemplates stealing it.

Questions for Reflection

• Should Heinz steal the drug?
• Would it matter if he didn’t love his wife?
• What if the dying person was a stranger?
• Should the pharmacist be held accountable if the wife dies?

Conclusion

• Analyze and provide responses to the Heinz dilemma based on different stages of moral development.

Note: Leave your answers and justifications in the comments below!