What would you do?
Kohlberg’s theory of moral
development
Who?
► Lawrence
Kohlberg (1927-1987) was a well
known theorist in the field of moral
development. He posed moral dilemmas
(e.g. Heinz Dilemma) to his subjects and
then asked questions to probe their reasons
for recommending a specific course of
action.
What? Moral Dilemma
► Dilemma:
a problem involving a difficult
choice; often, there is no “clear” or even
desirable solution—whatever you choose will
result in some possible negative
consequences
► Moral: of or relating to principles of right or
wrong behavior
Why?
play we are about to read, Antigone,
focuses on a moral dilemma. The characters
must make difficult choices and are
motivated by different types of morality.
This will help us to analyze them.
► The
Directions
► Partners
► Read
the scenario
► Discuss the dilemma
► Determine what the person should do
► Discuss why that choice is a moral choice
Scenario 1
►
►
►
►
►
A woman was near death from a unique kind of cancer.
There is a drug that might save her. The drug costs
$4,000.
The sick woman’s husband, Heinz, went to everyone he
knew to raise money and tried every legal means, but
could only get together $2,000.
He asked the doctor who discovered the drug for a
discount or to let him pay later, but the doctor refused.
Should Heinz break into the laboratory to steal the
drug for his wife? Why / why not?
Scenario 2
► Heinz
broke into the laboratory and stole the drug.
► The next day, the newspapers reported the breakin and theft.
► Brown, a police officer and a friend of Heinz,
remembered seeing Heinz last evening, behaving
suspiciously near the laboratory. Later that night,
he saw Heinz running away from the laboratory.
► Should
Brown report what he saw? Why or
why not?
Scenario 3
► Officer
Brown reported what he saw. Heinz
was arrested and brought to court.
► If convicted by jury, he faces up to two
years in jail.
► Heinz was found guilty.
► Should
the judge sentence Heinz to
prison? Why or why not?
Stages of Moral Development
► Kohlberg
proposed stages of moral
development.
Stage 1 & 2: Selfish Obedience
► 1)
Rules followed to avoid punishment;
obedience and concern for physical
consequences.
► 2) Doing things for others because it will
result in others doing things in return;
concern for reward, equal sharing and
benefit to self.
Stage 3 & 4: Conforming to
Traditions
► 3)
Whatever pleases the majority is
considered morally right; other viewpoints
can be seen, conformity is prized, desire to
do things for others.
► 4) Group authority, law, duty and rules of
society prized; concern for maintaining
social order for its own sake; social
disapproval avoided; emphasis on the
inherent 'rightness' of rules and duties.
Stage 5 & 6: Moral Principles Beyond
Conformity
► 5)
Internal commitment to principles of personal
conscience; concern with individual rights within
standards set by consensus; emphasis on fair
procedures for reaching consensus and for
evaluating principles and rules.
► 6) Concern with universal ethical principles and
abstract morality affecting all beings regardless of
conventional views; emphasis on universality,
consistency, and logical comprehensiveness.
Which stage?
► Read
the explanations for choices Heinz
could make.
► With your partner, determine which stage is
represented by this choice. Explain why you
believe that is the stage.
A
 A) Heinz should steal the medicine, because
he will be much happier if he saves his wife,
even if he will have to serve a prison
sentence.
► Stage
2: Self-interest
B
 B) Heinz should steal the medicine, because
everyone has a right to choose life,
regardless of the law. Or: Heinz should not
steal the medicine, because the scientist has
a right to fair compensation.
► Stage
5: Human Rights
C
 C) Heinz should not steal the medicine,
because he will consequently be put in
prison.
► Stage
1: Obedience
D
 D) Heinz should not steal the medicine,
because the law prohibits stealing making it
illegal.
► Stage
4: Law and Order
E
 E) Heinz should steal the medicine, because
his wife expects it; he wants to be a good
husband.
► Stage
3: Conformity
F
 F) Heinz should steal the medicine, because
saving a human life is a more fundamental
value than the property rights of another
person. Or: Heinz should not steal the
medicine, because others may need the
medicine just as badly, and their lives are
equally significant.
► Stage
6: Universal Human Ethics
Sources
► Kohlberg’s
Stages – Explained and Illustrated,”
Blessed to Be a Blessing, Sep 2000, 3 Oct. 2006
<http://www.vtaide.com/blessing/Kohlberg.htm>.
► “Kohlberg’s Stages of Moral Development,”
Austega Gifted Resource Center, 15 Feb 05,
Austega Pty Ltd., 3Oct 06
<http://www.austega.com/gifted/moralKohlberg.h
tm>.