Moral Theorist - Lawrence Kohlberg (Leaving Cert Religious Education): Revision Notes
Moral Theorist - Lawrence Kohlberg
Background
Lawrence Kohlberg (1927-1987) was an American psychologist who became famous for his work on moral development. He worked at the University of Chicago and Harvard University, studying how people's moral reasoning develops throughout their lives. Building on Jean Piaget's earlier research on children's moral development, Kohlberg created a comprehensive theory by presenting people with moral dilemmas and analysing their responses.
Kohlberg's research methodology was innovative for its time. He presented people with hypothetical moral dilemmas (like the famous "Heinz dilemma") and then analysed not just what people decided, but how they reasoned through their moral choices.
Overview of Kohlberg's theory
Kohlberg identified that moral development occurs through three main levels, each containing two stages. This creates a total of six stages that become progressively more complex. People move through these stages in order, with each stage representing a more sophisticated way of thinking about right and wrong.
Key features:
- Each stage builds on the previous one
- Not everyone reaches the highest levels
- The stages are universal across cultures
- Development occurs through facing moral conflicts
Unlike many developmental theories that focus on age-related changes, Kohlberg's stages are based on the complexity of reasoning rather than chronological age. This means adults can sometimes reason at earlier stages, while some adolescents may demonstrate higher-level thinking.
Level 1: Pre-conventional morality
Main characteristic: Moral decisions are based on avoiding pain and seeking pleasure or personal benefit.
This level is most common in children, though some adults may also reason at this level. People at this stage focus primarily on themselves and the immediate consequences of their actions.
Stage 1: Avoiding punishment
- Motivation: "I don't want to get into trouble"
- Focus: Avoiding negative consequences from authority figures
Example of Stage 1 Thinking: A child asks: "Why shouldn't I take this toy?" Stage 1 response: "Because the teacher will punish me if she catches me."
The focus is entirely on avoiding punishment rather than considering the rights of others or social rules.
Stage 2: Self-interest
- Motivation: "What's in it for me?"
- Focus: Meeting personal needs and desires
Example of Stage 2 Thinking: When asked about helping a classmate: "I'll help you with your homework if you share your lunch with me."
The moral reasoning is based on fair exchange and mutual benefit rather than genuine concern for others.
Level 2: Conventional morality
Main characteristic: Moral decisions are based on meeting social expectations and maintaining relationships.
This level is typical of adolescents and many adults. People at this stage want to be seen as "good" by others and follow society's rules and norms.
Stage 3: Seeking approval
- Motivation: "I want people to like me"
- Focus: Being seen as a "good person" by others
- Behaviour: Following social expectations to avoid disappointing others
Example of Stage 3 Thinking: "I should tell the truth because good people don't lie, and I want my friends and family to see me as a good person."
The emphasis is on maintaining relationships and social approval rather than abstract principles.
Stage 4: Maintaining social order
- Motivation: "I must follow the rules"
- Focus: Respecting authority and maintaining social systems
- Behaviour: Obeying laws and rules even when there are no immediate consequences
Example of Stage 4 Thinking: "I won't drive over the speed limit even when no police are around because laws exist for good reasons and everyone should follow them to maintain social order."
The focus shifts from personal approval to maintaining the broader social system.
Level 3: Post-conventional morality
Main characteristic: Moral decisions are based on personal ethical principles that may sometimes conflict with social rules.
This is the highest level of moral reasoning. People at this stage have developed their own moral principles based on universal concepts like justice and human rights.
Many researchers suggest that relatively few people consistently reach this level of moral reasoning. Some studies indicate that fewer than 25% of adults regularly demonstrate post-conventional thinking.
Stage 5: Social contract and individual rights
- Motivation: "Rules should serve humanity"
- Focus: Balancing individual rights with social order
- Behaviour: Viewing rules as useful but changeable when they conflict with human rights
Example of Stage 5 Thinking: "While I generally support following laws, this particular law discriminates against a group of people and should be changed through democratic processes. Sometimes civil disobedience is necessary to protect individual rights."
Stage 6: Universal ethical principles
- Motivation: "I must follow my conscience"
- Focus: Acting according to self-chosen ethical principles
- Behaviour: Following personal moral principles even when they conflict with laws
Example of Stage 6 Thinking: "I must act according to principles of justice and human dignity, even if it means breaking the law. My conscience tells me that protecting innocent people is more important than following unjust rules."
Historical examples include people who hid Jewish families during the Holocaust despite legal consequences.
Important features of the theory
Progressive Development: Each stage represents a more complex way of thinking about moral issues than the previous stage. People cannot skip stages or go backwards in their moral development.
Individual differences: People progress through the stages at different rates, and not everyone reaches the highest levels. Life experiences, education, and cultural exposure can influence the pace of development.
Universal Application: Kohlberg believed these stages apply to all cultures, though this has been debated by other researchers. Critics argue that the theory may reflect Western, individualistic values more than universal human development.
Potential Confusion: People at Stage 6 might sometimes appear similar to those at Stage 1 because both may break social rules, but their motivations are completely different. Stage 1 breaks rules to avoid punishment, while Stage 6 breaks rules to follow higher moral principles.
Remember!
Key Points to Remember:
- Kohlberg identified six stages of moral development organised into three levels
- Pre-conventional level focuses on personal consequences (avoiding punishment, self-interest)
- Conventional level focuses on social approval and maintaining order (pleasing others, following rules)
- Post-conventional level focuses on personal principles and universal ethics (social contracts, conscience)
- Each stage represents increasingly complex moral reasoning, but not everyone reaches the highest levels
- Development is progressive and universal, though individuals progress at different rates