Moral Development

Kohlberg’s phases of moral thought

1. preconventional (defined by punishment and/or reward)

   1. punishment and obedience orientation

   2. instrumental relativist orientation

2. conventional (defined by social rules)

   1. good boy, nice girl

   2. law and order orientation

3. post-conventional (defined by one’s own ethical principles)

   1. social contract orientation

   2. universal ethical principles

stage 1 of Kohlberg’s stages of moral development

punishment and obedience orientation: “how can I avoid a punishment?”

stage 2 of Kohlberg’s stages of moral development

self-interest orientation: “what’s in it for me?”

stage 3 of Kohlberg’s stages of moral development

interpersonal accord and conformity: “do it for me.”

stage 4 of Kohlberg’s stages of moral development

maintaining authority and social order: “do your duty.”

stage 5 of Kohlberg’s stages of moral development

social contract orientation; the world is viewed as holding different opinions, rights, and values

stage 6 of Kohlberg’s stages of moral development

universal ethical principles-driven; moral reasoning is based on abstract reasoning using universal ethical principles; action is an end of itself

Heinz dilemma

Heinz steals a life-saving drug from an immoral druggist to save his wife. Was Heinz right or wrong, and why?