Lawrence Kohlberg’s theory of moral development is a framework that explains the progression of moral reasoning through six developmental stages, grouped into three levels: pre-conventional, conventional, and post-conventional. Kohlberg built on the work of Jean Piaget and used moral dilemmas, such as the famous “Heinz dilemma,” to study how people decide what is right and wrong. His work, primarily developed through studies he began in the late 1950s, emphasizes that moral reasoning is the basis for ethical behavior and that individuals progress through the stages of moral development in a fixed order.
- Pre-conventional Level (Childhood): This level is characterized by an egocentric point of view, where morality is externally controlled. The individual obeys rules either to avoid punishment (Stage 1) or to obtain rewards (Stage 2).
- Conventional Level (Adolescence): At this level, individuals conform to social norms and expectations. They maintain social order by upholding laws and rules because they believe it is right (Stage 3) and because it ensures social order and respect by authority (Stage 4).
- Post-conventional Level (Adulthood, if at all): Individuals recognize that rules and laws are relative and that morality depends on principles that transcend societal rules. They follow these universal ethical principles, focusing on social contracts and individual rights (Stage 5) and on universal principles of justice and the equality of human rights (Stage 6).
Kohlberg’s Moral Stages theory has been influential in understanding how moral reasoning develops in individuals, affecting education, parenting, and legal theory. However, it has faced criticism for its focus on Western, male-centric perspectives on morality, and for suggesting that many people may never reach the highest stages of moral development.
Related
