Kohlberg's Theory of Moral Development (With Examples)

Summary

In this video, we explore Lawrence Kohlberg's Theory of Moral Development through the lens of the Heinz Dilemma, where a man must decide whether to steal a life-saving drug for his wife. The video covers the different stages of moral reasoning, from obedience to authority to the more advanced concepts of fairness and justice. It also delves into the criticisms of Kohlberg's theory, including its Western bias and gender differences in moral reasoning. Viewers are encouraged to reflect on their own moral decisions and understand how moral development evolves.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Heinz dilemma is used to explore moral reasoning and determine at which stage of moral development an individual currently stands.
• 😀 In stage one (Punishment and Obedience), children make moral decisions based on avoiding punishment, without considering the morality of the action itself.
• 😀 Stage two (Instrumental Purpose and Exchange) involves doing good to get something in return, with moral decisions based on self-interest and reciprocal actions.
• 😀 In stage three (Good Boy/Good Girl), individuals act to please others and maintain a good image, with morality based on what others expect or admire.
• 😀 Stage four (Law and Order) centers on the belief that morality is defined by the law, and actions are right or wrong based on legal standards.
• 😀 Stage five (Social Contract) emphasizes individual rights and societal welfare, focusing on the greatest good for the greatest number, often overriding legality.
• 😀 Stage six (Universal Ethical Principles) involves abstract principles like justice, fairness, and human life, guiding moral decisions beyond the law and social expectations.
• 😀 Not all actions that are legally right are morally right, and not all actions that are illegal are morally wrong.
• 😀 The theory is criticized for being too Western-focused, as people from non-Western societies tend to be in the conventional stages, emphasizing authority and social order.
• 😀 The theory has been criticized for being biased against women, as it tends to favor justice-based reasoning, while women often emphasize care and avoiding harm in moral decisions.

Q & A

What is the purpose of the Heinz dilemma in this video?

The Heinz dilemma is used to examine how individuals respond to moral issues and dilemmas, helping to determine their current stage of moral development according to Lawrence Kohlberg's theory.

How does Kohlberg's theory classify moral development?

Kohlberg's theory classifies moral development into three levels: pre-conventional morality, conventional morality, and post-conventional morality, each of which has two stages.

What is the first stage of Kohlberg's moral development theory?

The first stage is called 'Punishment and Obedience Orientation,' where children base their moral decisions on avoiding punishment.

What defines the second stage of moral development in Kohlberg's theory?

Stage two, known as 'Instrumental Purpose and Exchange,' is characterized by individuals doing good to others in exchange for something they want or to gain a reward.

How do individuals in stage three of Kohlberg's moral development think?

In stage three, known as the 'Good Boy-Good Girl Orientation,' individuals are concerned with pleasing others and maintaining social relationships. They act morally because it is what a 'good' person would do.

What is the key idea behind stage four of Kohlberg's theory?

Stage four, the 'Law and Order Orientation,' involves individuals defining what is right or wrong based on legal standards and social order, where breaking the law is seen as immoral.

What is the primary concern in stage five of moral development?

Stage five, called 'Social Contract or Individual Rights,' emphasizes the welfare of society and individual rights, focusing on the greatest good for the greatest number.

How does stage six differ from the other stages of Kohlberg's moral development theory?

Stage six, 'Universal Ethical Principles,' is guided by abstract principles such as justice, fairness, and equality. It is not concerned with obeying the law or social expectations but with doing what is universally right.

What is the main criticism of Kohlberg's moral development theory?

A common criticism of Kohlberg's theory is its Western bias, as it tends to favor moral reasoning based on justice and fairness, which may not apply universally across different cultures, especially in non-Western societies.

Why does Kohlberg's theory potentially undervalue women's moral reasoning?

Kohlberg's theory is criticized for being biased against women, as it tends to emphasize justice and fairness, while women may prioritize care and avoiding harm, which is seen as less 'mature' in Kohlberg's stages.