Kohlberg’s Theory of Moral DevelopmentIn connection with “Choices” in Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird *

Moral Dilemma A train is about to crash off the track, killing many people. You can pull a lever that will switch the train to another track but it will hit a very large man, killing one person. Do you pull the lever?

Lawrence Kohlberg American Psychologist Developed a sequence of stages of moral reasoning about right and wrong Kohlberg was not interested in the response of right and wrong, but in the reasoning behind the decision *

Kohlberg’s Theory of Moral Reasoning Kohlberg divided moral development into three levels and six stages. Each level is a different stage of moral reasoning. *

Level 1: Preconventional Moral Reasoning Judgment is based on personal needs and others’ rules. Stage 1: Punishment-Obedience Orientation Rules are obeyed to avoid punishment. A good or bad action is determined by its physical consequences. Authority figures determine standards. Stage 2: Personal Reward Orientation Personal needs determine right and wrong. Favors are returned along the lines of “You scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours.” Eye for eye, same for all, treat all the same. Focused on fairness. *

Level 1: Preconventional Moral Reasoning Punishment-Obedience Good or bad is determined by physical consequences Personal Reward I’ll scratch your back if you scratch mine *

Level 2: Conventional Moral Reasoning Judgment is based on others’ approval, family expectations, traditional values, the laws of society, and loyalty to country. Stage 3: Good Boy – Nice Girl Orientation Good means “nice.” It is determined by what pleases, aids, and is approved by others. Considers own feelings (conscience) and feelings of others. Puts oneself in other’s shoes. Follows stereotypes of right behavior of majority. Stage 4: Laws and Order Orientation Laws are absolute. Authority must be respected and the social order maintained. Rigid, fixed rules are hard to change. Respect for authority and majority rule. *

Level 2: Conventional Moral Reasoning Good-Boy Nice-Girl These two are dressed appropriately for work to please themselves and others Laws and Order Make sure to obey these signs! *

Level 3: Postconventional Moral Reasoning Stage 5: Social Contract Orientation Good is determined by socially agreed-upon standards of individual rights. Standards of behavior are critically examined and socially agreed upon. Law can be changed for the benefit of society. Making decisions for the greater good. Stage 6: Universal Ethical Principle Orientation Good and right are matters of individual conscience and involve abstract concepts of justice, human dignity, and equality. *

Level 3: Postconventional Moral Reasoning Social contract Universal ethics

To Kill a Mockingbird Scenario (plot): In chapter 6 (pp.-74-75), Jem tells Scout that “We shouldn’a done that tonight…” referring to their earlier escapades in the Radleys’ yard. He regrets his earlier decision. *

To Kill a Mockingbird What Kohlberg level and stage of moral reasoning is Jem at? Level 2, Stage 3 Jem decides to go along to the Radley’s at Dill’s urging. He then regrets his decision because he is worried about what Atticus will think of him. He doesn’t want to disappoint Atticus. -OR- Level 3, Stage 6 Jem feels guilty about tormenting Boo Radley because of higher moral reasoning. He is beginning to develop a sense of human justice and realizes that harming Boo is wrong because it goes against principles of human dignity and equality. *

To Kill a Mockingbird What Kohlberg level and stage of moral reasoning is Scout at in this section? Be ready to defend your response. *

To Kill a Mockingbird Scenario (plot): In chapter 14 Scout says that Jem “broke the remaining code of [their] childhood” when he tells Atticus that Dill has run away from home (187). *

To Kill a Mockingbird What Kohlberg level and stage of moral reasoning is Jem at here? Level 2, Stage 4 Jem feels an obligation to tell Atticus about Dill’s arrival because Dill is a “wrongdoer” and Jem feels a societal obligation that Dill receive proper punishment -OR- Level 3, Stage 5 Jem feels that it is for Dill’s own benefit and protection that adults be informed as to where he is. He believes that telling Atticus will do the most good for the most people: Dill as well as his parents who are likely worried about him.

To Kill a Mockingbird Scenario (plot): In chapter 15 Scout places herself in the middle of the angry mob, which eases the tensions and possibly saves Atticus’ life (205).

To Kill a Mockingbird What Kohlberg level and stage of moral reasoning is Scout at? Be ready to defend your response. Write 2-3 sentences to explain your response.

To Kill a Mockingbird Choose a character from the novel. Analyze which stage they are at in their moral development at this point in the novel. If the character has moved from one stage to another (dynamic character), make note of this. Please follow the lit analysis recipe and be prepared to discuss. (TCQEA). The character of__________is at level___ stage____ of Kholberg’s moral development.

The character of Dill in To Kill a Mockingbird is at stage 1 level 1 in Kholberg’s stages of moral reasoning. At this point in the novel, Dill runs away from home and hides under Scout’s bed. Before running away, he had “taken thirteen dollars from his mother’s purse” (187). This shows that he is operating purely out of self-interest. Dill’s willingness to disobey rules if he feels he can get away with it shows a lack of higher moral reasoning.

Romeo & Juliet What was the decision or choice made? Mercutio decides to fight with Tybalt -OR- Romeo decides not to fight with Tybalt *

Romeo & Juliet Scenario (plot): After Romeo and Juliet are married, Mercutio wants Romeo to fight Tybalt, but Romeo says he won’t because he loves him, but won’t tell him why. So, Mercutio instead picks a fight with Tybalt. *

Romeo & Juliet What Kohlberg level and stage of moral reasoning is Mercutio at? Level 2, Stage 3 Mercutio desires to fulfill his stereotype expectations to please others on his side of the family feud. He decides then, to take action against Tybalt because he is worried about what others think. -OR- Level 3, Stage 6 Romeo chooses not to fight Tybalt because of his individual conscience, thinking about his beloved Juliet and his desire to please her. *