Lawrence Kohlberg

1927 - 1987

A brief bio:
Born: October 25, 1927 Chose to become a sailor
blockade of Palestine

Bronxville, New York

After WWII, helped smuggle Jews through British

Doctoral research on moral reasoning Professor at Harvard University 1973 developed tropical disease Jan. 17, 1987 reported missing from hospital Date of death unknown
Leader in moral education

Moral Development
His approach was dependent on the thinking
of psychologist Jean Piaget and philosopher John Dewey
Emphasized that human beings develop philosophically and psychologically in a progressive fashion

Able to demonstrate that people progressed

in their moral reasoning through a series of stages
Cant understand moral reasoning more than one stage above their own/cant jump stages

Kohlbergs Levels of Moral Development

6 Stages
Level 1: Pre-conventional morality Level 2: Conventional morality
Stage 1. Punishment - obedience orientation Stage 2. Personal reward orientation Stage 3. Good Boy/Nice Girl orientation Stage 4. Law and Order orientation Stage 5. Social contract orientation Stage 6. Universal Ethics orientation

Level 3: Post-conventional morality

Kohlbergs theory
The Heinz Dilemma
Heinzs wife is dying. There is one drug that will save her, but it is very expensive. The druggist will not lower the price so Heinz can buy it to save his wifes life. What should he do? *WHY?

The stage of moral development was

determined by the basis for the response

Stage 1: Punishment-Obedience
Oriented to obedience and punishment Deference to authority Cant take others perspective into account
if different from his/her own
Avoidance of physical punishment No punishment = no guilt

Heinz must not steal the medicine or he

will be put in jail.

Stage 2: Personal reward (Instrumental Relativism)

Makes choices based on what will satisfy

needs Egalitarianism Moral reciprocity

Whats in it for me?

you scratch my back, Ill scratch yours

I wouldnt steal the medicine because by the

time I got out of jail, my wife would be dead anyway.

Stage 3: Good boy/Nice girl (Interpersonal Concordance)

Conformity to expectations of
peers/society
Being good in eyes of others and own eyes Wish to please Follow rules to gain/maintain approval

Can take multiple perspectives Intentions noted of motivation behind

behaviors Will people I like approve or disapprove of me? the drug, but they will think you inhuman if you dont.

No one will think you are bad if you steal

Stage 4: Law and Order

Moral choices depend on societys belief of

right and wrong Recognize and respect established rules, regulations, traditions Rules must be followed to maintain social order Authority seldom questioned Is my decision consistent with the rules? the law.

I cant steal the drug because it is against

Stage 5: Social contract-legalistic

Behavior governed by universal moral principles Relativism of personal values Laws sometimes in conflict with moral principles not
just about rules Individual rights take precedence Is my decision consistent with general legal, cultural, and social traditions? others if you dont steal the drug.
Contractual and legalistic, agreed to by society Loyal to social contract Work within democratic structure to change laws

You will lose your self-respect and the respect of

Stage 6: Universal ethical principles

Right action defined by selfchosen ethical principles
Universal principles of justice, equality, respect Every individuals interests are worthy for consideration Decisions based on conscience

Gandhi, Mother Theresa, Martin

Luther King, Jr. Will this decision enhance or diminish the human condition?

You wont get blamed by the law

if you dont steal the drug, but you wont be able to live up to your own standards.

Moving through the stages

Stages 1 and 2 before age 12 Stages 3 and 4 before age 18 Stages 5 and 6 rarely achieved

In general, decisions using logic of higher stages

are preferred over lower stage logic.

Individuals develop due to a conflict in their

current stage cognitive disequilibrium Exposure to logic one stage above their own can help
Suggests that teachers provide opportunities to hear logical arguments based on higher moral stage