Philosphy Notes
Lawrence Kohlberg: The Stage Theory of Moral Development
Moral thought, according to Lawrence Kohlberg, aligns with other forms of thought in that progress through moral levels and stages is characterized by increasing differentiation and integration. This implies that moral development resembles the scientific theory's progression.
Piaget's Influence on Moral Development
Swiss psychologist Jean Piaget was a pioneer in studying the moral reasoning of children, identifying distinct stages in their moral development. He coined the first stage as heteronomous morality, driven by external constraints, and the second as autonomous morality, emphasizing cooperation. Piaget believed moral development was a facet of human nature but equally reliant on social interactions to foster a sense of moral duty. Despite its importance, Piaget's research received limited attention due to the dominance of behaviorism in modern psychology, which aligned with cultural relativism in moral philosophy. Throughout the 1970s, Kohlberg's work reignited interest in moral development, heavily influenced by Piaget as well as prominent philosophers like Socrates and Immanuel Kant, whom he viewed as exemplifying high moral reasoning.
The Popularity of Kohlberg's Theory
Kohlberg's ideas gained traction amidst societal unrest during the Vietnam War and the civil rights movement, marking a departure from cultural relativism. He intended to synthesize theory and practical experience in moral philosophy, positing that while the specifics of moral codes may vary by culture, the underlying conceptual structures are universal and innate. Kohlberg and his colleagues maintained that all humans, aside from those severely impaired, possess the potential for growth through the various stages of moral development. These stages, they argued, represent transformations in moral reasoning rather than mere increases in knowledge of cultural values. Each stage is distinct and builds upon the last, much like arithmetic supports the understanding of calculus.
Kohlberg's Levels and Stages of Moral Development
Kohlberg identified three main levels of moral development—Preconventional, Conventional, and Postconventional—each subdivided into two specific stages:
Preconventional Level
Stage 1: Punishment and Obedience
Individuals at this stage seek to avoid punishment. Their moral reasoning is centered on authority and the fear of consequences.
Stage 2: Egoist
Here, moral reasoning is self-serving, where individuals fulfill their own needs and help others only if it benefits them, exemplified by the saying, "You scratch my back, I'll scratch yours."
Conventional Level
Stage 3: Good Boy/Nice Girl
Individuals focus on pleasing others and maintaining good relationships, prioritizing peer approval and conformity to group norms.
Stage 4: Society Maintaining
Moral reasoning reflects respect for authority and adherence to societal rules, emphasizing the maintenance of social order.
Postconventional Level
Stage 5: Social Contract or Legalistic
Individuals acknowledge the importance of social rules but consider their application based on social utility, ensuring that basic rights are safeguarded.
Stage 6: Conscience and Universal Principles
At this stage, moral reasoning transcends specific commands or social contracts, adhering to universal ethical principles like justice and equality, which respect human rights and dignity.
While higher stages appear later in life, Kohlberg understood this progression does not imply that higher stages are morally superior. He recognized that higher stages of reasoning lead to increased satisfaction with moral decisions, often preventing future regret. His stance aligned with many moral philosophers who favor principled reasoning over the cultural relativism found in conventional stages.
Transition and Integration of Stages
Kohlberg argued that as individuals progress through these stages, earlier stages are not discarded but integrated into subsequent levels, thus equipping individuals with enhanced tools for resolving moral dilemmas. This evolution from egocentrism to universal acceptance of rights marks a growing inclusiveness in one's moral community. A person typically remains at their current stage until confronted with a dissatisfying cognitive or social crisis, prompting a transition to a higher stage where solutions are better understood.
The evolution of moral reasoning can be exemplified by Aung San Suu Kyi, whose transformation into a leader for freedom in Burma stemmed from facing a moral crisis upon returning to her home country.
Real-Life Applications of Moral Development
The relationship between a person's moral reasoning and their behavior is notably positive, correlating moral reasoning levels with increased honesty and altruism. A significant study highlighted that helping behavior is markedly higher among individuals at the highest moral stages, demonstrating that higher stages positively influence moral behavior and related developmental factors like self-esteem and mental health.
Cultural Influences on Moral Development
Cross-cultural studies affirm Kohlberg’s perspective that stages of moral development have universal characteristics. Various cultures influence moral development differently; for example, individuals from the United States generally score lower than those from Iceland or Canada, yet higher than individuals from Taiwan. Moreover, environments, such as prisons, often inhibit moral progression, reinforcing lower moral reasoning instead of facilitating growth.
Moral Reasoning in Education
College students often exhibit predominantly stage 3 reasoning, influenced heavily by peer culture, which has been characterized as a "freshman personality." Despite this conformity, formal education tends to foster moral development by challenging students to confront various worldviews, often leading to a crisis that propels them toward higher moral reasoning.
However, many students do not achieve postconventional reasoning upon completing their education; instead, they often succumb to conventional societal norms, leaving little room for autonomous thinking.
Criticisms of Kohlberg's Theory
Kohlberg faced criticism for reflecting U.S. cultural biases, particularly as his subjects were predominantly young males, neglecting insights about moral development in women. His findings indicated limited moral development transition beyond age 25, calling into question the comprehensiveness of his framework in understanding the moral experiences of broader populations.
Carol Gilligan: The Care Perspective
Carol Gilligan, a student of Kohlberg, challenged the assertion that women's moral reasoning was inferior. Through her work, she distinguished that women's moral development often follows a different trajectory, focused on care and responsibility within relationships, contrasting Kohlberg's justice-oriented perspective. She proposed three stages of women's moral development:
Gilligan's Stages of Moral Reasoning in Women
Preconventional: Self-centered approach prioritizing one's needs.
Conventional: Self-sacrificing values that emphasize others' needs over one's own.
Postconventional: Mature care ethics that balance personal needs with the welfare of others.
Gilligan's findings reflect the cultural influences on gender socialization and moral reasoning, emphasizing the need for a more inclusive understanding of moral development that recognizes distinct pathways based on gender.