Moral Psychology and Kohlberg's Ethics

Moral Psychology and Ethics

• Moral psychology focuses on explaining the causes behind human actions, while ethics justifies them.
• Lawrence Kohlberg's theory states that moral development occurs in stages.

Kohlberg's Study of Moral Consciousness

• Kohlberg conducted a longitudinal study of 72 boys, aged 10-16.
• He presented them with moral dilemmas, such as the Heinz Dilemma.

The Heinz Dilemma

• A dying woman needs a costly drug to save her life.
• Her husband, Heinz, cannot afford it.
• He must choose between stealing the drug or letting his wife die.

Kohlberg's Research Questions

• Should Heinz steal the drug?
• Would it change anything if Heinz didn't love his wife?
• Would it change anything if the person dying was a stranger?
• Should the police arrest the chemist for murder if the woman dies?

Kohlberg's Focus on Moral Reasoning

• Kohlberg's focus was not on the right or wrong of the actions, but on the individual's reasoning behind their judgment.

Six Stages of Moral Development

• Kohlberg's six stages of moral development are not explained in this text.

Moral Development Stages

• Understanding the influences on one's beliefs and actions is critical for ethical decision-making.

Stage 2: Before Making a Decision

• At this stage, individuals consider others' perspectives and act in mutually beneficial ways.
• They are sensitive to the consequences of their actions.
• They may see Heinz's love for his wife as a justification for stealing the drug to save her life.
• They may also prioritize avoiding punishment.

The Conventional Level

• At this level, individuals focus on socially accepted norms and become less self-centered.
• Stage 3 involves conforming to social norms to gain approval from significant others.
• The document highlights cultural variations in standards; family ties are more important in some cultures than others.
• Stage 4 involves adhering to social norms to maintain order.

Stage 6

• Decisions are based on universal principles, not just societal norms.
• Principles are followed even if they contradict societal norms.

The Heinz Dilemma: Stage 6

• Human life is more valuable than property.
• Stealing is wrong, even in extreme circumstances.

Summary of Moral Reasoning Stages

• Pre-conventional stage (Stages 1 & 2) - Focus solely on self-interest.
• Conventional stage (Stages 3 & 4) - Consider others and societal rules.
• Post-conventional stage (Stages 5 & 6) - Take a broader perspective on actions and universal principles.

Key Differences between Stages

• Stages 1 & 2 (pre-conventional) - Focus solely on self-interest and avoid considering rules.
• Stages 3 & 4 (conventional) - Consider other people and societal rules, but Stage 3 tends to follow rules blindly for social acceptance while Stage 4 is more flexible.
• Stages 5 & 6 (post-conventional) - Take broader perspectives on actions and universal principles.

Conventional Thinking

• Conventional thinking and acting are not inherently right or wrong.
• Challenges arise in diverse societies with varied cultural norms.
• What one group considers acceptable, another may not.

Kohlberg's Perspective on Conventional Thinking

• Most adolescents operate at this level.
• Peer pressure can influence behavior.
• Young people are often still discovering their own values and beliefs.

Heinz Dilemma: Conventional View

• Laws are designed to maintain social order.
• Tolerating theft could be abused and undermine the right to property.
• Stealing is unjustified in this case.

Post-Conventional Level

• Individuals transcend societal norms.
• Actions are driven by values and principles.

Stage 5: Social Contract

• Rules and laws serve a purpose beyond their own existence.
• They are meant to protect individual rights and aid collective interests.
• Laws can be challenged and altered based on changing social contexts.

Heinz Dilemma: Stage 5

• Laws should accommodate exceptions, such as when human life takes priority over property.
• Unrestrained profiteering is unjust and harmful to society.
• Government intervention is necessary to find a balance.

The Pre-Conventional Level

• Individuals judge actions based on their consequences.
• Rules are only important if they predict or assist in achieving desirable outcomes.

Stage 1: Reward and Punishment

• Individuals maximize rewards and minimize punishments.

Heinz Dilemma: Stage 1

• If stealing doesn't get Heinz punished, it is right.
• If stealing leads to punishment, it is wrong.

Chapter 4 Theory of Stages of Moral Development

• Moral development is a gradual process involving three levels: pre-conventional, conventional, and post-conventional, each with two stages.
• Kohlberg's theory focuses on conformity to rules.
• The conventional stage is the middle ground between the self-centered pre-conventional stage and the reflective post-conventional stage.

Explore the critical concepts of moral psychology and ethics through the lens of Lawrence Kohlberg's theories. This quiz delves into moral development stages, key research findings, and the famous Heinz Dilemma. Test your understanding of how moral reasoning shapes our judgments and actions.