Moral Development How do we make moral decisions?

Moral Development n Hear, O Israel: The L ORD our God, the L ORD is one…These commandments…are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. (Deuteronomy 6: 4 - 7a, NIV)

Moral Development n No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying “Know the L ORD, ” because they will all know me… (Jeremiah 31:34, NIV)

The context of moral development n Jean Piaget: Stages of cognitive development –Moral realism: A morality of consequences and egocentrism. Typical of ages Rules are imposed. –Morality of cooperation: A morality of intentions and empathy. After age 10. Rules are social conventions

Judging morality n John, while helping his mother dry the dishes, accidentally dropped a plate onto the cupboard, breaking 15 cups. n When Henry’s mother caught him taking a cookie just before supper, he threw the cookie down on the counter, and broke a cup. n Who was naughtier?

Tests of moral reasoning n Comprehension tests: “What is the thing to do if…” n Moral dilemmas: Lawrence Kohlberg n Heinz’s wife is dying of cancer. A nearby pharmacist discovers a drug which will cure the cancer. Heinz does not have enough money to buy the drug. To save his wife, should he steal?

Evaluating moral development n Why or why not? n Kohlberg is interested not only in the answers to moral dilemmas, but in the reasons given for the answers. n Kohlberg used the reasons given to form categories or stages of moral development. n There is a difference between tested moral judgment and practical morality.

Stages of moral development n A. Preconventional morality: Self- interest –Stage One: Obey to avoid punishment –Stage Two: If it feels good, do it. n B. Conventional morality: Connecting to others –Stage Three: Go along to get along –Stage Four: Maintain social order

Stages... n C. Postconventional morality: Underlying principles –Stage Five: Rules are social contracts, sometimes subordinate to individual rights. –Stage Six: Rules should express universal principles and ethical values. –Stage Seven: Cosmic transcendence.

Evaluation of moral development theories n Adults are not consistently conventional n Changes in wording the moral reasoning tests alter the judgments. For example, emphasizing punishment increases preconventional judgments. n Kohlberg’s stages are based on research with boys and men. Gilligan’s critique: Women are caring and relational, men are rule-oriented.

Application n On Friday night, Alicia’s parents announce that they have planned a family night out. Alicia begs to be excused, saying that she has a great deal of English homework to do. Her parents agree to let her stay home.

Application... n Later, they run into Alicia’s English teacher at a restaurant. In the course of conversation, they learn that Alicia has no English homework that night. n When they talk to Alicia, she admits that she lied, but explains that she did so to save hurting their feelings by admitting that she did not want to go out with them.

Application... n Did Alicia do the right thing? n Should her parents punish her or tell her that what she did was wrong? n What level was Alicia’s moral reasoning, in Piaget’s terms? In Kohlberg’s terms? n If her parents punish her for breaking the family’s rule against lying, what level moral reasoning are they using?

What level of moral reasoning? n In Matthew 12, the disciples of Jesus pick and eat some grain in a field they are crossing, because they are hungry. n The Pharisees say, “Look! They are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath.” n Jesus cites three examples from the Scriptures -- David, the Law, and the prophet Hosea -- and declares that the disciples are innocent.