Morality (Piaget/Kohlberg)

Question 1

Piaget’s view can be linked to what kind of philosophy?

Answer 1

Pragmatic – cooperation, discourse, reasoning between people is the ideal way to come to a moral belief or action. Children’s morality develops over time, is not innate; it’s passed down from parents and co-constructed with peers with an emphasis on pragmatic outcomes and doing what’s right for the group.

Question 2

Piaget - Phase 1

Answer 2

Heteronymous morality/Moral realism - ages 4-7. Rules are considered unchangeable. Deontological/consequentialist - bound to parent’s rules, good/bad is based on consequences of actions. Child’s ability to take perspectives is constrained by what parents offer.

Question 3

Piaget - Phase 2

Answer 3

Autonomous morality. Pragmatic, rationalist. Fairness and equality are important when negotiating rules. Intersubjective: what works best in a particular situation. Consideration of intention or motive. Shift is due to an increase in interpersonal interacitons.

Question 4

Immanent justice

Answer 4

Piaget phase 1 - form of moral reasoning where any deviation from rules will inevitably result in punishment or retribution.

Question 5

Kohlberg

Answer 5

interested in the reasoning people used to reach their decisions; rationalist, rejected virtue ethics. We progress through stages of reasoning to solve moral problems; go through stages in order and don’t regress back unless under severe distress.

Question 6

Kohlberg Level 1

Answer 6

Pre-Conventional: actions are good if they lead to reward; bad if they result in punishment.

Stage 1: obedience/punishment; consequential, is the action good or bad?
Stage 2: hedonistic/instrumental; what is the benefit for oneself?

Question 7

Kohlberg Level 2

Answer 7

Conventional Morality

Stage 3: “good boy/good girl” - wants to be approved of, conform to expectations of others
Stage 4: follow the rules, do one’s duty and respect authority. Support rights of majority without concern for the minority (80% of people do not progress past this stage).

Question 8

Kohlberg Level 3

Answer 8

Post-Conventional

Stage 5: Social-Contract Orientation; morality is based on an agreement among individuals to conform to norms necessary to maintain social order and rights of others; can be modified.
Stage 6: individual principles and conscience; intent to avoid self-condemnation.

Question 9

Critique of Kohlberg

Answer 9

relationship between moral thought and action? Kohlberg didn’t address discrepancy between what we say we’d do and how we actually act

overemphasis on justice? what about compassion?

too Western? focus is on individual rights/freedoms vs. a more social welfare account

Question 10

Differences: Piaget vs. Kohlberg

Answer 10

Piaget: whether we act morally is dependent on the audience

Kohlberg: we are likely to be consistent in moral thought and action; can’t regress.