Moral Reasoning

• Kohlberg‘s Research

  Developed a set of moral dilemmas and studied reasoning through giving children of different ages questions (Eg Heinz dilemma), hoping to discover how moral reasoning changes as we age
• Heinz Dilemma

  Heinz’s wife was dying of cancer and a doctor said a drug might save her life

  Drug was developed like a local chemist and they were charging ten times the amount of money it took to make - Heinz couldn’t afford it

  Heinz tried to raise money from family but only raised half

  Explained to the chemist his wife was dying and asked if he could have it for cheaper or pay the rest later

  Chemist refused - wanting to make money for the discovery

  The husband was desperate to save his wife, so broke into the chemist‘s store and stole the drug
• Level 1 - pre-conventional 


  Obedience and Self interest

  Children do not have their own moral code and base their decisions on learning about the consequences of their choices

  Reasoning:

  • No, he will be put in prison
  • Yes, he will be happier if he saves his wife and sadder if not
• Level 2 - Conventional

  Conformity and Social Order

  Adolescents/Adults recognise the role of social rules and behave in a way that maintains relationships and order - reasoning is based on social norms and laws

  Reasoning

  • No, laws are there for a reason otherwise everyone would do it
  • Yes, his wife would want to be saved, a good husband would do it
• Level 3 - Post conventional

  Individual rights and Universal Ethics

  People recognise that rules/laws exist for the wider good, but that they can work against individuals at times, and choices are not clear cut.

  Some people make choices based on universal justice and equality, even if it means going against society, family or law

  Reasoning:

  • No, the scientist has a right to fair compensation for his work
  • No, others may need it and their lives are just as important
  • Yes, individuals ight of life is more important than the law
  • Yes, anyone’s life outweighs property rights
• An explanation for offending

  Criminals think in fundamentally different ways and make decisions differently: They are more egocentric and have poorer perspective-taking skills

  They are likely to be at the pre-conventional level (most are there by age 10)

  This level of reasoning is characterised by a need to avoid punishment (punishment orientation) and to gain reward (reward orientation)

  They believe that breaking the law is justified when the consequences are outweighed by the rewards (EG, steal that iPhone and sell it, might not get caught)