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Understanding Kohlberg's Moral Development Theory

Mar 22, 2025

Laurence Kohlberg's Moral Theory of Development

Overview

  • Developed a theory centered on moral development, focusing on how people develop moral reasoning rather than emotional or physical development.
  • Aimed to understand how moral reasoning evolved as individuals grew.
  • His theory is similar to Vygotsky's in terms of being based on cognitive development.

Methodology

  • Studied children's moral reasoning using moral dilemmas.
  • Famous example: Heinz Dilemma
    • Heinz's wife is ill, medicine needed is too expensive.
    • Heinz steals the drug after the chemist refuses to lower the price.
    • Children asked questions about the morality of Heinz's actions.

Levels of Moral Reasoning

  • Kohlberg identified three levels of moral reasoning, each with two stages, forming a ladder-like progression.
  • People progress through these stages sequentially; not everyone reaches the final stage.

Level 1: Pre-Conventional Morality

  1. Obedience vs. Punishment
    • Authority outside the individual.
    • Rules are fixed and absolute.
    • Actions judged by physical consequences.
  2. Individualism and Exchange
    • Recognition that there isn't a single right view.
    • Understanding that different individuals have different perspectives.

Level 2: Conventional Morality

  1. Good Boy and Good Girl
    • Desire to be seen as good by others.
    • Emphasis on conformity and being nice.
  2. Maintaining Social Order
    • Awareness of societal rules.
    • Importance of obeying laws to uphold order and avoid guilt.

Level 3: Post-Conventional Morality

  1. Social Contract
    • Judgement based on self-chosen principles.
    • Recognition that laws may not always work in everyone's interest.
    • Sometimes laws should be broken for the greater good.
  2. Universal Ethical Principle
    • Development of personal moral guidelines.
    • Principles of justice and equality that apply universally.
    • Willingness to go against society and face consequences for upholding these principles.
    • Few people reach this stage, e.g., Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King.

Conclusion

  • Kohlberg's theory emphasizes the complexity and progression of moral reasoning.
  • Highlights the importance of understanding different levels of moral thought and the potential for individuals to evolve in their moral reasoning.

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