Semester 2. Ethics and Morality.

Kohlberg’s Stages of Moral Development

Moral reasoning is concerned with the reasons we use to determine what ought or ought not to be done, and also with the ways in which we explain and justify our thinking.  Kohlberg argues that moral attitudes develop in specific stages linked to the development of cognitive abilities.

Level 1:  Pre-conventional Morality

Stage 1 Punishment and Obedience Orientation:

• We give no thought to other  people
• We obey to avoid punishment, and to attract rewards
• We listen to and obey authority figures (parents/teachers/God) without question

 Stage 2 Instrumental-Relativist Orientation

• We are now able to place ourselves in someone else’s position
• We begin to recognize the rights of others, although our rights are paramount
• We have no respect for authority and no real concept of what is morally right or wrong

Level 2: Conventional Morality

Stage 3 “Good boy/nice girl” Orientation

• We tend towards conformity and generally follow expectations of others
• We seek approval of other people who are important to us
• We begin to experience peer-group pressure
• We show a concern for the social order

 Stage 4 Law and Order Orientation

• We do not question the validity of rules
• Reasons and decisions are expressed as more generalized rules of conduct
• Our thinking is still based on relations with others and our desire for approval; but we now also think in terms of standards

 Level 3: Post-conventional Morality

Stage 5 Legalistic Orientation

• We recognize that the rights of individuals need to be balanced with the rules necessary to keep society functioning
• We recognize that laws have a rational basis and can be changed when a majority believe a change is necessary
• We understand that laws and rules are based on acceptance by the majority

 Stage 6 Universal, ethical Orientation

• We recognize that what is right is a matter of conscience
• We acknowledge that these principles are abstract and ethical
• We understand that these principles include: justice, human rights; respect for the dignity of human beings as individuals
• We make decisions about what is morally right based on our conscience – we choose and judge for ourselves
• We may experience conflict between our principles, but we resolve these in a rational way

 Possible Stage 7

• We consider wider, more philosophical questions such as: Why is there so much injustice in the world? What is the meaning of life? How will I face death?
• We develop an awareness of the whole of life and the cosmic perspective
• We recognize that we are but a small part in the grand scheme of things.