Presentation 1

MORALS
• Morals are defined as standards for what behavior is

considered right or wrong. It is important to note that morals
differ between individuals and cultures, and that an
individual's morals change throughout their life as they
mature and their relationships with the environment and
people around them change
• referenced model for this change is Kohlberg's Stages of
Moral Development
KOHLBER’S STAGES OF MORAL
DEVELOPMENT
• Kolhber’s theory of moral development states that we progress
through three levels of moral thinking that build on our cognitive
development.
• Lawrence Kohlberg expanded on the earlier work of cognitive theorist
Jean Piaget to explain the moral development of children. Kohlberg
believed that moral development, like cognitive development, follows
a series of stages.
STAGES OF
MORAL
DEVELOPMENT
Kohlberg identified three
levels of moral reasoning:
pre-conventional,
conventional, and post-
conventional. Each level
is associated with
increasingly complex
stages of moral
development.
Level 1:
Preconventional
child’s sense of morality is
externally controlled.
Children accept and believe
the rules of authority figures
not yet adopted or
internalized society’s
conventions regarding what is
right or wrong
focuses largely on external
consequences that certain
actions may bring.
Stage 1: Obedience-
and-Punishment
Orientation
child’s desire to obey
rules and avoid being
punished
action is perceived as
morally wrong because
the perpetrator is
punished;
Stage 2:
Instrumental
Orientation
“what’s in it for me?”
behavior is defined by
whatever the individual
believes to be in their best
interest
limited interest in the needs of
others, only to the point where
it might further the
individual’s own interests.
a “you scratch my back, and
I’ll scratch yours” mentality.
Level 2:
Conventional
child’s sense of morality
is tied to personal and
societal relationships.
continue to accept the
rules of authority figures,
but this is now due to
their belief that this is
necessary to ensure
positive relationships and
societal order.
Stage 3: Good Boy,
Nice Girl Orientation
Children want the
approval of others and
act in ways to avoid
disapproval. Emphasis
is placed on good
behavior and people
being “nice” to others.
Stage 4: Law-and-
Order Orientation
child blindly accepts rules
and convention because
of their importance in
maintaining a functioning
society
seen as being the same for
everyone
Moral reasoning in stage
four is beyond the need
for individual approval
exhibited in stage three
Level 3:
Postconventional
person’s sense of morality is defined in
terms of more abstract principles and
values. People now believe that some laws
are unjust and should be changed or
eliminated.
growing realization that individuals are
separate entities from society and that
individuals may disobey rules inconsistent
with their own principles.
live by their own ethical principles—
principles that typically include such basic
human rights as life, liberty, and justice—
and view rules as useful but changeable
mechanisms, rather than absolute dictates
that must be obeyed without question.
Stage 5: Social-
Contract Orientation
world is viewed as holding different
opinions, rights, and values. Such
perspectives should be mutually
respected as unique to each person
or community. Laws are regarded as
social contracts rather than rigid
edicts.
Those that do not promote the
general welfare should be changed
when necessary to meet the greatest
good for the greatest number of
people.
Stage 6: Universal-
Ethical-Principal
Orientation
moral reasoning is based on
abstract reasoning using
universal ethical principles.
chosen principles are abstract
rather than concrete and focus
on ideas such as equality,
dignity, or respect.
Laws are valid only insofar as
they are grounded in justice,
and a commitment to justice
carries with it an obligation to
disobey unjust laws.
Assignment:
• Write an Essay on Kohlberg’s theory critique it, expound, and explain
on the points in his theory you agree with, and the ones that you
don’t. Due before midterms
• Write an Essay on how you deem an act as morally right or wrong.
Due before midterms
• indiraaprabhaker@gmail.com
• Blindfolded Recitation Next meeting.

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MORALS

• Morals are defined as standards for what behavior is

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