Ethics Module 7: stages of moral development

Lawrence Kohlberg

• Born in the year 1927

• Grew up in Bronxville, New York

• Died, January 19, 1987

• Professor of education and Social Psychology

• Made books about Moral Development and Reasoning

Stage 1: obedience and Punishment-avoidance

At this stage, children see rules as fixed and absolute. Obeying the rules is important because it is a means to avoid punishment.

Child views adult's rules as unquestionable

Stage 2: Individualism and Exchange/ Instrumental relativist orientation

At this stage of moral development, children account for individual points of view and judge actions based on how they serve individual needs. Individual interest: behavior driven by self-interest and rewards.

• At this stage children recognize that there is not just one right view that is handed down by the authorities.

• Different individuals have different viewpoints.

• Everyone is free to pursue their own interests.

• Still see people as individuals, not members of a larger group

Stage 3: Good interpersonal relationships

• Often referred to as the "good boy-good girl" orientation, this stage of moral development is focused on living up to social expectations and roles.

• There is an emphasis on conformity, being "nice," and consideration of how choices influence relationships.

• adolescents believe people should live up to their responsibilities within the family or community and behave in "good" ways being "good" means having empathy, compassion, honesty, an concern for others

Stage IV: Law and Order

• Adolescents see others both as individuals and as members of unit (society, family, culture, class, team)

• Individuals are making decisions based on the implications on society, showing they now see themselves as members of a group emphasis is on maintaining social order through fulfilling responsibilities and obeying the law.

• At this stage of moral development, people begin to

  consider society as a whole when making judgments.

• The focus is on maintaining law and order by

  following the rules, doing one’s duty and respecting

  authority.

Stage V: Social Contract and Individual Rights

• At this stage, people begin to account for the differing values, opinions and beliefs of other people.

• Rules of law are important for maintaining a society, but members of the society should agree upon these standards.

• Morals and rights are seen to be superior to certain

  laws

• Stage 5 subjects,- then, talk about "morality" and

  "rights" that take some priority over particular laws.

  Kohlberg insists, however, that we do not judge

  people to be at stage 5 We need to look at their

  social perspective and mode of reasoning.

Stage VI: Universal Principles

• Kohlberg's final level of moral reasoning is based upon universal ethical principles and abstract reasoning.

• At this stage, people follow these internalized principles of justice, even if they conflict with laws and rules.

• Hypothetical ideal which few people ever achieve.

• People adhere to a few abstract, universal principles (equality of all people, respect for human dignity, commitment to justice) that transcend specific norms and rules

• People answer to a strong inner conscience and willingly disobey laws that violate their own ethical principles