Jack’s wife was near death Jack’s wife was near death. There was one drug on the planet that could save her, and it was only sold in Jack’s hometown. The druggist who was selling it, however, was charging ten times what it cost to make the drug. Jack couldn’t afford the drug. He tried borrowing money from his friends and family, and could only come up with half of the cost of the drug. He explained his problem to the druggist, but the druggist refused to sell him the drug for less money, and he also refused to let Jack pay the second half later. Jack decided that he had to steal the drug. Write what you think Jack should do and why.

Moral? Have you heard this word before? What does it mean? Judging what is right and wrong.

Kohlberg's Theory of Moral Development Lawrence Kohlberg (1927-1987) Morality is the system one uses to decide what is right and wrong; how one’s conscience affects choices. Lawrence Kohlberg, a psychologist, explored what motivates individuals to act the way they do. He then devised a theory about how people change their views of what’s right and wrong as they grow.

Levels of Moral Development He creates six stages of moral development divided into three levels. Level I: Preconventional Stage 1 Stage 2 Level II: Conventional Stage 3 Stage 4 Level III: Post-Conventional Stage 5 Stage 6

We hopefully end up here. We start here……

Level I Preconventional What is Good for Self Reward & Punishment Usually young children, Very selfish Age six and under

Stage I: Punishment Avoidance Acts to avoid pain or punishment Wants to not get spanked or get a “time out”

Stage 2: You Scratch My Back; I’ll Scratch Yours Acts to get a reward Wants to get a hug or a piece of candy or back scratch Back to Contents

Level II Conventional What is Good for Others Majority of adults; Conform to expectations and are usually loyal

Stage 3 Approval of Others Acts to gain approval; conforms Wants to be a “good girl/boy”; wants others to see as nice

Stage 4 Law & Order Acts because of belief in the law and order Wants society to be orderly and understands duty/respect for authority Back to Contents

Level III Postconventional What Is Universally Good Minority of adults; Define moral values on own values (do not rely on authority’s definition)

Stage 5 -Social Principles Contract Acts for the welfare of others Wants other people to be safe and happy; willing to change law if necessary

Stage 6 - Universal Principles of Conscious Acts because of her/his own conscience/set of beliefs Wants all human beings to be respected for their dignity, believes in justice and equality; will disregard law if necessary Back to Contents

Which level are you? The Jack Dilemma

Should Jack have stolen the drug? A. YES B. NO

Because… A. he would get in trouble from his family members for not getting help B. he can risk his life if he thinks he can get away with it C. no one will respect him if he lets her die D. it’s his duty to his wife, he should pay later and accept the law’s penalty E. the law wasn’t meant to violate life, the law should be reinterpreted if he is caught F. if he didn’t steal it, he’d be putting another value above that of life; respect for property should not be above the respect for life; there shouldn’t be private property; it is everyone’s duty to help the dying

Because… A. he would go to jail B. it’s more risk than it’s worth C. everyone will think he’s a criminal D. because even though his natural duty is to obey the law, it would create violence/crime if every store owner were charging excessive prices

Stage I: Punishment Avoidance You are… Stage I: Punishment Avoidance Acts to avoid pain or punishment Wants to not get spanked or get a “time out” On to Practice

You Scratch My Back; I’ll Scratch Yours You are… Stage II: You Scratch My Back; I’ll Scratch Yours Acts to get a reward Wants to get a hug or a piece of candy or back scratch On to Practice

Stage III:Approval of Others You are… Stage III:Approval of Others Acts to gain approval Conforms Wants to be a “good girl/boy” Wants others to see as nice On to Practice

You are… Stage IV:Law & Order Acts because of belief in the law and order Wants society to be orderly and understands duty/respect for authority On to Practice

Stage V:Social Principles Contract You are… Stage V:Social Principles Contract Acts for the welfare of others Wants other people to be safe and happy; willing to change law if necessary On to Practice

Stage VI:Universal Principles of Conscious You are… Stage VI:Universal Principles of Conscious Acts because of her/his own conscience/set of beliefs Wants all human beings to be respected for their dignity, believes in justice and equality; will disregard law if necessary On to Practice

Practice Directions: Choose the correct level of moral reasoning for each example.

Example #1 If I make my neighbor a present and give it to her, she’ll be very happy. Stage 1: Punishment Avoidance Stage 2: You scratch my back; I’ll scratch yours Stage 3: Approval of others Stage 4: Law and Order Stage 5: Social Principles Contract Stage 6: Universal Principles of Conscious

Example #2 If I leave my bicycle in the middle of the front yard, I will be punished. Stage 1: Punishment Avoidance Stage 2: You scratch my back; I’ll scratch yours Stage 3: Approval of others Stage 4: Law and Order Stage 5: Social Principles Contract Stage 6: Universal Principles of Conscious

Example #3 In order to stay true to my personal code of morals, I need to protest the dictatorship of the government. Stage 1: Punishment Avoidance Stage 2: You scratch my back; I’ll scratch yours Stage 3: Approval of others Stage 4: Law and Order Stage 5: Social Principles Contract Stage 6: Universal Principles of Conscious

Example #4 If I obey the speed limit, the roads will be safer for everyone. Stage 1: Punishment Avoidance Stage 2: You scratch my back; I’ll scratch yours Stage 3: Approval of others Stage 4: Law and Order Stage 5: Social Principles Contract Stage 6: Universal Principles of Conscious

Example #5 If I want to protest a government policy or action, the Bill of Rights guarantees my freedom to do so. Stage 1: Punishment Avoidance Stage 2: You scratch my back; I’ll scratch yours Stage 3: Approval of others Stage 4: Law and Order Stage 5: Social Principles Contract Stage 6: Universal Principles of Conscious

Example #6 If I do the dishes for my father, he will take me to the baseball game. Stage 1: Punishment Avoidance Stage 2: You scratch my back; I’ll scratch yours Stage 3: Approval of others Stage 4: Law and Order Stage 5: Social Principles Contract Stage 6: Universal Principles of Conscious Back to Contents

You are correct! Great Job On to example 1 2 3 4 5 6

Oops! That answer is incorrect. Try Again. Back to example 1 2 3 4 5 6

Homework: Pick 3 Stages and Write Your Own Examples.

Closure Write about someone you know who is in the post-conventional level of moral reasoning.