Kohlbergs Stages of Moral Development Essay

Kohlbergs six degrees thr unity be more than(prenominal) generally grouped into trio directs of two symbolizes each pre- naturalized, received and post- stately. Following Piagets constructivist requirements for a comprise model, as described in his theory of cognitive development, it is extremely r atomic number 18 to relapsing in gunpointsto lose the use of high stage abilities. floors clear non be skipped each provides a new and requisite spatial relation, more encyclopaedic and differentiated than its predecessors still integrated with them. take up 1 (Pre-Conventional)1. Obedience and punishment penchant(How so-and-so I avoid punishment?)2. Self-interest orientation(Whats in it for me?)(Paying for a benefit)Level 2 (Conventional)3. tender accord and form(Social norms)(The good male child/girl attitude)4. Authority and accessible- club keeping orientation(Law and order moralisticity)Level 3 (Post-Conventional)5. Social scram orientation6. Universal estimable principles(Principled conscience)The judgement gained in each stage is maintained in afterward stages, still may be regarded by those in later stages as simplistic, pretermiting in ample attention to detail.Pre- stodgyeditThe pre-conventional level of moral conclude is especially common in children, although adults can also exhibit this level of reasoning. Reas onenessrs at this level judge the piety of an bring through by its direct consequences. The pre-conventional level consists of the premier and second stages of moral development, and is solely come to with the self in an egocentric manner. A child with preconventional morals has non soon enough adoptedor internalized beau mondes conventions regarding what is correctly or wrong, just now kind of focuses largely on external consequences that indisputable actions may bring.In Stage one (obedience and punishment driven), individuals focus on the direct consequences of their actions on themselves. F or example, an action is perceived as morally wrong because the perpetrator is punished. The work time I did that I got spanked so I will non do it again. The worse the punishment for the act is, the more worse the act is perceived to be.16 This can give rise to an inference that even off innocent victims are guilty in proportion to their suffering. It is egocentric, lacking recognition that others points of facet are different from ones bear.There is deference to superior power or prestige.Stage two (self-interest driven) espouses the whats in it for me position, in which right behavior is outlined by whatever the individual believes to be in their outmatch interest but understood in a define way of life which does not consider ones reputation or relationships to groups of people. Stage two reasoning shows a curb interest in the needs of others, but merely to a point where it magnate further the individuals suffer interests. As a result, concern for others is not based on loyalty or intrinsic respect, but quite a a You scratch my back, and Ill scratch yours. mentality. The lack of a societal emplacement in the pre-conventional level is quite different from the social contract (stage quin), as all actions permit the purpose of serving the individuals own needs or interests. For the stage two theorist, the cosmoss perspective is often seen as morally relative.ConventionaleditThe conventional level of moral reasoning is representative of adolescents and adults. To reason in a conventional way is to judge the morality of actions by comparing them to hostelrys views and expectations. The conventional level consists of the third and fourth stages of moral development. Conventional morality is characterized by an bankers acceptance of societys conventions concerning right and wrong. At this level an individual chases rules and follows societys norms even when there are no consequences forobedience or disobedience. Adherence to rules and convent ions is just about rigid, however, and a rules rightness or fairness is seldom questioned.789In Stage three (inter personal accord and conformity driven), the self enters society by pick social powers. Individuals are receptive to favorable reception or disapproval from others as it reflects societys accordance with the perceived role. They take heed to be a good boy or good girl to die up to these expectations, having learned that there is essential value in doing so. Stage three reasoning may judge the morality of an action by evaluating its consequences in monetary value of a persons relationships, which at present begin to include things like respect, gratitude and the favourable rule. I want to be liked and thought closely of apparently, not being naughty makes people like me. Desire to maintain rules and authority exists merely to further support these social roles. The intentions of actors quicken a more significant role in reasoning at this stage one may feel more forgiving if one thinks, they mean well In Stage four (authority and social order obedience driven), it is important to obey laws, dictums and social conventions because of their importance in maintaining a functioning society. Moral reasoning in stage four is thus beyond the need for individual approval exhibited in stage three. A central idealistic or ideals often prescribe what is right and wrong. If one person flubs a law, maybe everyone would thus there is an debt instrument and a duty to uphold laws and rules. When someone does violate a law, it is morally wrong culpability is thus a significant gene in this stage as it severalises the bad domains from the good ones. Most active members of society remain at stage four, where morality is still predominantly dictated by an outside force.Post-ConventionaleditThe post-conventional level, also known as the principled level, is marked by a growing realization that individuals are separate entities from society, and that the individuals own perspective may take precedence everywhere societys view individuals may disobey rules inconsistent with their own principles.Post-conventional moralists choke by their own ethical principles principles that typically include such basic military man rights as life, liberty, and justice. People who exhibit post-conventional morality view rules as useful but changeable mechanisms ideally rules can maintain the general social order and nourish human rights. Rules are not infrangible dictates that must be obeyed without question. Because post-conventional individuals elevate their own moral evaluation of a touch over social conventions, their behavior, especially at stage six, can be staccato with that of those at the pre-conventional level.Some theorists have speculated that many another(prenominal) people may never make up this level of abstract moral reasoning.789In Stage five (social contract driven), the world is viewed as holding different opinions, rights and values. much(prenominal) 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 upraise the general welfare should be changed when necessary to meet the greatest good for the greatest number of people.8 This is achieved through majority finality and inevitable compromise. Democratic government is on the face of it based on stage five reasoning.In Stage six (universal ethical principles driven), moral reasoning is based on abstract reasoning using universal ethical principles. 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. Legal rights are unnecessary, as social contracts are not essential for deontic moral action. Decisions are not reached hypothetically in a conditional way but rather categorically in an absolute way, as in the philosophy of Immanuel Kant. This invol ves an individual imagining what they would do in anothers shoes, if they believed what that other person imagines to be true.The resulting consensus is the action taken. In this way action is never a factor but always an end in itself the individual acts because it is right, and not because it avoids punishment, is in their best interest, expected, legal, or previously agreed upon. Although Kohlberg insisted that stage six exists, hefound it uncorrectable to identify individuals who consistently operated at that level