Biyernes, Agosto 23, 2013


Morality, as stated in the dictionary is a good moral conduct; it is a kind of medieval drama, containing a moral lesson. It is one of the most significant aspect of human life, wherein psychologist traditionally avoided studying it especially value judgement are involved because of the degree of difficulty in solving it. But Lawrence Kohlberg's interest in Moral Development didn't hinder him to study about it. He was fascinated by Piaget's studies of moral reasoning development and decided to expand Piaget's theory. He used different dilemmas contained in short story and asks children and adults to solve it. Most popular dilemma is Heinz' story.







In Kolberg's theory of moral development contains three levels and in each level contain 2 stages. In level 1, Pre-conventional Morality- this typical of children up to age 9. It is called pre-conventional because the children do not really understand the conventions or rules of society. Under the first level are the two stages which is: Obedience and punishment and Individualism and exchange. The next level is the Conventional Morality-this level, the 9 yrs-20 yrs old adapt to the convention of society because they are rules to be obeyed. Under this level are the two stages which is the Interpersonal relationship and the Authority and social order. The last level is the Post conventional Morality- it is from 20 yrs old and above. It is called post conventional because the conventions of the society are understood as well as he moral principles behind them. Under the last level is the Social contract and the Universal principle.

The levels and stages of Kohlberg's theory can understand better with the use of Heinz Dilemma:

In Europe, a woman was near death from a special kind of cancer. There was one drug that the doctors thought might save her. It was a form of radium that a druggist in the same town had recently discovered. The drug was expensive to make, but the druggist was charging ten times what the drug cost him to make. He paid $200 for the radium and charged $2,000 for a small dose of the drug.

The sick woman's husband, Heinz, went to everyone he knew to borrow the money, but he could only get together about $ 1,000 which is half of what it cost. He told the druggist that his wife was dying and asked him to sell it cheaper or let him pay later. But the druggist said: "No, I discovered the drug and I'm going to make money from it." So Heinz got desperate and broke into the man's store to steal the drug-for his wife. Should the husband have done that?

Kohlberg was not interested in the answer to the question what Heinz should do but it interested him about the justification the participants offer. We used example, answers given by our Child and Adolescent Psychology Professor. Below are example of possible arguments that belong to the six stages. It is possible that a participant reaches a completely different conclusion using the same stage of reasoning. It is important to keep in mind that the arguments are only examples.

  • STAGE 1 (obedience): Heinz should not steal the medicine because he will be put in jail.
  • STAGE 2 (self-interest): Heinz should steal the medicine because he will be much happier if he saves his wife, even if he will have to serve a prison sentence.
  • STAGE 3 (conformity): Heinz should steal the medicine because his wife expects it.
  • STAGE 4 (law and order): Heinz should not steal the medicine because the law prohibits stealing.
  • STAGE 5 (human rights): Heinz should steal the medicine because everyone has a right to live, regardless of the law.
  • STAGE 6 (universal human ethics): Heinz should steal the medicine, because saving a human life is a more fundamental value than the prop. rights of another person.
 According to the given answers, the participants have different judgement about Heinz dilemma, it may be based on what they believe is right and on their principle. We all have the right to live, the rights to be with the one we love and the rights on law. No one wants to disobey the law because the law and order are made for the people to have equal rights that we can  defend on but sometimes it is our principle that hinders to obey the rules. And like Heinz, it is his wife that needs the medicine and life is involved in this dilemma so we can't blame him of what he did. In the story, the druggist are like corrupts nowadays. They are only thinking of themselves not considering the others. While most of the Filipinos are dying in hunger most of them squander their money for luxurious things. We have laws to oblige but the poor systems lead most of the Filipinos to wrong. How can they have their rights if the others bind the truth? From the start there is no equal justice between the rich and poor. How can they have justice and have the help of the authority if they are the one who takes it away from them? Is it possible for the Filipino to progress without discipline? If only most of us have morality in their mind and in their act, there will be no oppressed and oppressant. The Kohlberg theory of moral development shows how an individual justify or reasons out how morality should takes place.



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