Moral DevelopmentChapter 4

Lawrence Kohlberg’s Stages of Moral Reasoning

All of us are moral philosophers and our moral reasoning helps guide our judgments and behavior

Hidden Motives – YouTube (starting 16:20)

Heinz Dilemma

In Europe, a woman was near death from cancer. One drug might save her, a form of radium that a druggist in the same town had recently discovered. The druggist was charging $2,000, ten times what the drug cost him to make. The sick woman’s husband, Heinz, went to everyone he knew to borrow the money, but he could only get together about half of what it cost. He told the druggist that his wife was dying and asked him to sell it cheaper or let him to sell it cheaper or let him pay later. But the druggist said, “No.” The husband got desperate and broke into the man’s store to steal the drug for his wife. Should the husband have done that? Why?

Movement through the stages…

According to Kohlberg, the stages form a moral ladder. Only some attain the highest rung of the ladder

3 Stages of Moral Development

Preconventional Morality – Before age 9 How does the choice affect ME? Obey to avoid punishment or Obey to

gain concrete rewards Concerned with self only (egocentric) Q Why is speeding wrong according to

someone in this stage? Q How might someone in this stage answer the

Heinz Dilemma?

3 Stages of Moral Development Conventional Morality – By early

Adolescence Moral choice is made through other’s eyes Cares for others and upholds laws and rules Determines morality by examining

society’s expectations Follows others standards so that they are

seen as good Q Why is speeding wrong?, Q Should heinz steal

the drug?

3 Stages of Moral Development Postconventional Morality – Moral Reasoning

Universal ethical principles and Personal Conviction may affect choice

Recognizes that different people have different values An action is right if it coincides with self’s basic ethical

principles Could include civil disobedience – deliberate and

open violation of the laws as an expression of personal values. Examples: Thoreau, Gandhi, MLK, abortion clinics, 1970 college campuses, Occupy Wall Street Movement, Iraq/Afghanistan Wars

Dr. Kohleberg's Theory of Moral Development – YouTube

Civil Disobedience and Occupy Wall Street.

Civil Disobedience and Occupy Wall Street Movement.

Over 400 cities/towns have some movement

1,000’s have been arrested (most on purpose) having committed civil disobedience. As with other acts they hope to get the attention of media and eventually politicians.

Arrests are sometimes only for one day then released.

In each of the following situations, which of Kohlberg’s Stages is displayed?

Scott thought about leaving school early and going to a baseball game. He stayed in school because he was afraid of getting caught.

Grant wants to spend time after school volunteering at the hospital. However, he is a good basketball player, and practice interferes with this volunteer program. The coach and other teammates pressure him to play. Grant decides to play with the team.

Martina, a young woman living in a war-torn region of the world, distributes food to orphans living in the streets. This activity is actually against the law. She frequently has to deceive the authorities in order to keep these children alive.

 

Juanita’s friends were at the mall and someone suggested they do a little shoplifting just to see if they could get away with it. Juanita would not participate and said that stealing is against the law.

Muhammad lives with his mother in a poor section of the city. His mother is quite ill and needs outpatient services daily at a hospital some miles away from their home. Muhammad steals a car to take his mother to the hospital.

 

Videos on Civil Disobedience over last month in US and World

Mass civil disobedience only way?

Despite 700 arrests Occupy Wall Street persists – YouTube

Keith Olbermann: Occupy Wall Street - Day 31. The Movement goes Worldwide – YouTube (:50-4:20)

Peaceful Protestor Arrested, NYPD Refuses to Say On What Charges... #OccupyWallStreet – YouTube

Cops turn Violent, NYPD drag girl across the street. #OccupyWallStreet - YouTube

We are the 99%. What are they protesting about?

Top 1% Doubled Income In Last 30 Years - CBO Report start about 2:00

Keith Olbermann Reads The Statement Released By The Wall Street Protesters - 2011-10-05 - YouTube

In your groups, consider the following questions… 1. Should Heinz steal the drug? Why or why not?2. If Heinz doesn't love his wife, should he steal the drug

for her? Why or why not?3. Suppose the person dying is not his wife but a

stranger. Should Heinz steal the drug for a stranger? Why or why not?

4. Suppose it is a pet animal he loves. Should Heinz steal to save the pet animal? Why or why not?

5. Why should people do everything they can to save another's life?

6. It is against the law for Heinz to steal? Does that make it morally wrong? Why or why not?

7. Why should people generally do everything they can to avoid breaking the law? How does this relate to Heinz's case?