Lawrence Kohlberg’s Stages of Morality
Lawrence Kohlberg, an American psychologist (1927—1987), is best known for his research on the levels of consciousness surrounding individuals’ moral choices. He worked as a professor at both the University of Chicago and Harvard University, where he developed a new field within psychology now known as “moral development”. In his 1958 dissertation we find his theory, primarily consisting of three levels, each divided into two stages:
Stage 1: Punishment and Obedience
Stage 2: Self-Interest Orientation
Stage 3: Good Interpersonal Relationships:
Stage 4: Maintaining Social Order:
Stage 5: Social Contract, Individual Rights:
Stage 6: Universal Ethical Principles (Principled Conscience)
Preconventional Level:
Stage 1: Punishment and Obedience:
Morality is externally driven. Actions are judged based on their consequences. Behaviors that avoid punishment and comply with authority are deemed correct. (“Punishment avoidance”). At this stage, morality is judged by direct consequences. Actions are considered wrong if they result in punishment; the severity of the punishment dictates the severity of the wrongdoing. This stage emphasizes avoiding punishment rather than considering the morality of the action itself.
Stage 2: Self-Interest Orientation (Individualism and Exchange):
Individuals recognize that there is more than one right view handed down by authorities. Actions are considered morally right if they serve the individual’s needs or involve a fair exchange, where personal benefit is the motivation: “If you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours”. (“Pay for a benefit”) Individuals recognize that there isn’t just one correct perspective provided by authorities. Different individuals have different viewpoints.
Conventional Level:
Stage 3: Good Interpersonal Relationships:
Here, actions are performed to gain approval from others and maintain relationships. The individual conforms to societal standards to be seen as good by others, driven by social approval and rewards. The individual strives to be seen as a good person by others. Therefore, responses are related to seeking others’ approval. (“The Good boy, Good girl attitude”)
Stage 4: Maintaining Social Order:
This stage focuses on obeying laws and respecting authority purely out of the duty to uphold society’s cohesion. (“Moral reinforcer”). Individuals at this stage consider it important to uphold laws and rules because they maintain the social order, not merely for approval or tangible rewards.
Postconventional Level:
Stage 5: Social Contract, Individual Rights:
Individuals begin to question, “What makes a society good?” They start to assess society in a more theoretical manner, stepping back from their own group/society norms to both see and influence it in new, individually tailored ways. (“Win-win”) This stage involves a deeper understanding that individuals are separate from society, and sometimes this separation requires a personal moral stance that defies conventional norms. Individuals at this stage evaluate the validity of laws and societal norms based on whether they promote justice and benefit the community.
Stage 6: Universal Ethical Principles (Principled Conscience):
Morality is based on principles that transcend mutual benefit. Right actions are defined by self-chosen ethical principles that appeal to logical completeness, universality, and consistency. At this ultimate stage, morality is governed by abstract reasoning and universal ethical principles, like those identified by philosopher Immanuel Kant (1724-1804) in his Categorical Imperative; “Act as if the maxim of your action were to become through your will a universal law of nature.” Actions are not judged by their consequences but by the nature of the action itself. Decisions are based on justice, rights, and respect for all individuals.
Heinz’s Dilemma: An Application of Kohlberg’s Theory
The hypothetical scenario known as Heinz’s Dilemma involves a woman dying from a unique type of cancer. There is a drug that can save her, but it costs significantly more than Heinz, her husband, can afford. After attempting to borrow the money and pleading with the doctor for a discount or deferred payment—all unsuccessfully—Heinz faces a moral decision: Should he break into the lab and steal the medicine to save his wife?
Analysis by Kohlberg’s Stages:
• Preconventional: Heinz might steal the medicine because he fears the consequence of his wife’s death more than the consequence of legal punishment.
• Conventional: Heinz might decide against stealing the medicine because it violates societal laws and norms.
• Postconventional: Heinz might choose to steal the medicine, believing that saving a human life justifies breaking the law, reflecting a commitment to higher, universal ethical principles like the right to life.
This inclusion of Heinz’s Dilemma and more intricate details provides a richer, more comprehensive view of Kohlberg’s stages of moral development, illustrating how individuals might navigate complex moral decisions at different developmental stages.
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In the spirit of Adventure, The Guide
