MORALITY
As we age and become more
complex, we begin to view
issues differently
what is right and wrong?
BIG difference seen between
children and adults
MORALITY
Children: something is wrong
if you are punished for it
Adults: just “know”
something is wrong, even if
they get away with it and the
opposite
kids with breaking things <6
MORALITY
Many changes during
adolescence.
Transition from childhood to
adulthood
girls in N. America: 12-13
boys: 13-15
the end is harder to identify
MORALITY
Still closely tied to the
parents with more
independence than ever
start turning out to society
Hormones rewire the brain
MORALITY
Lawrence Kohlberg
also distinct stages of moral
reasoning
evaluate the reasoning
behind moral decisions!
We all start at a low level of
morals
Lawrence Kohlberg
MORALITY
Moral dilemmas- developed
by Kohlberg to see what level
of morals you have
there is no such thing as a
moral or immoral DECISION,
but moral or immoral
REASONS******
BOYS
Kohlberg’s Method
In order to determine which stage of moral
development a person was at, Kohlberg
presented the person with moral
dilemmas
“The Case of Heinz and the Druggist.”
Mr. Heinz's wife is dying. There is one drug that will save
her life but it is very expensive. The druggist will not lower
the price so that Mr. Heinz can buy it to save his wife's life.
What should he do? More importantly, why?
Moral dilemmas were judged, not according to the
respondent’s position (to steal the drug or not), but
on the basis of the kind of
answer exhibited.
reasoning the
MORALITY
FEW people are actually
consistent
Hypocrites
many never reach level 6
25% of adults??
women tend to lag
Kohlberg suggested a stage theory of moral
development:
Preconventional Morality
1. Punishment-obedience
2. Personal reward orientation
Conventional Morality
3. The “good boy/nice girl”
Orientation
4. The “law and order” orientation
Post-conventional Morality
5. Social contract orientation
6. Universal ethical principle
MORALITY
PRECONVENTIONAL LEVELS
1. Punishment and obedience
orientation
“wrong is punished”
immediate consequences
Will I be punished?
Kohlberg’s Levels
2. Obey for your own benefit
delayed benefits are taken
into account—rewards!!
people may help you down
the road
“you scratch my back, I’ll
scratch yours.”
Kohlberg’s Levels
CONVENTIONAL MORALITY
3. “Good Boy, Nice Girl
Orientation”
public opinion is the main
basis of morals
what will others think of me?
Kohlberg’s Levels
4. Law and Order Orientation
you should respect and
follow the law because it is
the law
no questions asked
social order also important
Kohlberg’s Levels
POSTCONVENTIONAL LEVEL
5. Social-Contract Orientation
laws should be followed, but
there should be flexibility
majority can change
what was it intended to do?
the role of a husband/wife
Kohlberg’s Levels
6. Universal Ethical Principle
Orientation
laws can be broken in special
cases - civil disobedience
there are higher ethics like
justice & respect for human
life
Arguments Against
He is not covering
EVERYTHING
do you actually do what you
say you will do?
Hypocrites!!!
Arguments Against
Discriminates against people
who can’t articulate
themselves
What about women?
The caring vs. justice
component
Men vs. Women
Carol Gilligan
men: rights and duties
women: caring is more
important
women want to hear the
details of a situation
Carol Gilligan began with an
interest in moral development
She had been a teaching
assistant for Erik Erikson
particularly interested in issue
Kohlberg raised: why do some
individuals recognize a higher moral
law, while others simply are content
to obey the rules without question?
Gilligan’s Initial Research
Her initial research -- draft
resisters during the Vietnam
war.
Nixon cancelled draft just as
her project was started.
study women who made
difficult moral choices about
abortion.
Gilligan’s Criticism
ABORTION:
Men: right because
women’s right to choose,
wrong because it takes a
life
Women: it depends
Gilligan’s Stages
STAGE 1
PRECONVENTIONAL
what is best/worst for
me?
STAGE 2 CONVENTIONAL
what is best for others?
Gilligan’s Stages
3. POSTCONVENTIONAL
focus on the fact that hurting
anyone, including oneself is
immoral.
Once again, REASONS matter
Later Research...
Males and females take
justice and caring into
account
differences have never been
substantiated
TWO “voices” justice vs.
caring
Differences between Men’s
and Women’s Moral Voices
Men
Justice
Rights
Treating everyone
fairly and the same
Apply rules impartially
to everyone
Responsibility toward
abstract codes of
conduct
Women
Care
Responsibility
Caring about
everyone’s suffering
Preserve emotional
connectedness
Responsibility toward
real individuals