Assignment #10: Moral Development

How do you define what is wrong and right (morals)?

How does a person’s concept of wrong and right change over time?

• Henri’s dilemma: Henri’s wife is critically ill and will die if she does not get special medication. The druggist is selling the drug for ten times what it costs to make it. Henri can not raise the money and the druggist refuses to lower the price or wait for payment. What should Henri do?

Write what you think he should do.

After discussing: Was there any gender difference in the way the questions were answered?

During your reading

• What is “ethical reasoning”?

• What does Kohlberg say about Moral Development

• What does Gilligan believe about moral development?

• Helga’s dilemma: Helga is asked by a Jewish good friend, Rachel, to hide her from the Nazi Gestapo. If they are discovered, Rachel, Helga and Helga’s whole family will be killed. If Helga does not hide her, Rachel will probably be deported to a concentration camp. What should Helga do?

What do you think? What guidelines or principles , fairness, personal advantage, possible punishment, strategic considerations, relationships, social justice?

How difficult is it for you to put yourself in Henri or Helga’s place?

“I do not think that I will ever reach a stage where I will say “This is what I believe. Finished.” What I believe is alive…and open to growth.” - Madeleine L’Engle

Respond to this statement: Do you agree with this statement in general? Is this the case with moral development?