Kohlberg’s Moral Theory

In addition to the biological and cultural differences, each individual develops different combinations of concepts, priorities, values, lessons, knowledge, etc. Early in life, we start learning through our parents, friends, and teachers that some behaviors and reactions are more accepted than others. Humans instinctively avoid conflicts, disapproval and possible punishment, so in some way we start shaping accumulating a set of “non- written rules” that respond to what is accepted in a particular culture or society. Every day, we face different situations in which we have to make decisions; however, not all the scenarios are ideal, meaning that it is not always possible to decide upon logical sense. When a situation requires choosing between two priorities, we have to decide based in our values, our scale of priorities, and what we consider to be less harmful or more acceptable. A system of moral rules delimits the range of acceptable actions but it does not necessarily determine concrete acts. There is no way that we can logically decide what to do in circumstances where it is impossible to do everything and satisfy all moral rules at the same time. We face situation like this all the time, and we have to make decisions based on what we consider the best moral acceptable option. (www.uic.edu/educ/college/centers/moraled.htm)

        However, according to our age, there seems to be a pattern among humans in the way we interpret, judge, decide, think, and resolve these types of situations. The psychologist Lawrence Kohlberg for example, presented a theory based on moral reasoning and cognitive” development.  Kohlberg made conclusions by observing how people of different ages resolved stories containing moral dilemmas through a series of stages. He believed that there were six identifiable stages, which could be more generally classified into three levels. Kohlberg believed that there were six identifiable stages, which could be more generally classified into three levels. Kohlberg's classification can be outlined in the following manner (SUMMARY OF L. KOHLBERG'S STAGES OF MORAL DEVELOPMENT, Robert N. Barger, Ph.D.):

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Pre-conventional  Level

Stage 1 -  Obedience and Punishment:: people behave according to socially acceptable norms because they are told to do so by some authority figure (e.g., parent or teacher). The threat or application of punishment compels the obedience.

Stage 2  -  Individualism, Instrumentalism and Exchange: characterized by a view that right behavior means acting in one's own best interests.                                

Conventional Level           

Stage 3 - "Good boy/girl": is characterized by an attitude which seeks to do what will gain the approval ...

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