? How does moral thinking develop? Beyond Social Services Potsdam University of Applied Sciences ©

JOHN : Dad, can you write in the dark? FATHER : I think so. What do you want me to write? JOHN : Your name on this report card. TEACHER : John, your composition on "My Dog" is exactly the same as your brother's. Did you copy his? JOHN : No, teacher, it's the same dog!

Lawrence Kohlberg: “How does moral reasoning develop?” 3 explanations: 1. Traditional: copying 2. Psychoanalytic: guilt 3. Kohlberg’s: we learn moral reasoning like maths.

Moral reasoning needs the ability… …to anticipate consequences & …to apply and generalize rules

What is a moral decision? A decision valid in different (all) contexts A logical consistent decision A decision supported by comprehensive moral philosophy

Stage 0: Egocentric reasoning: "I should get my own way!" Stage 1: Obedience and Avoidance of punishment: "Will I get into trouble?" Stage 2: Self-interest orientation: "What's in it for me?" Stage 3: Interpersonal accord and conformity: The good boy / good girl attitude Stage 4: Law & Order Orientation: “People must follow the rules!” Stage 5: Social contract orientation (human rights): "Which democratic processes are needed for a good society?" Stage 6: Universal ethical principles: “Which are principles to achieve justice and guarantee dignity?” Level: Pre-Conventional Level: Conventional Level: Post- Conventional Kohlberg’s developmental stages

Exercise on the Heinz Scenario 1 Voluntering student 1 interviewing student 1 observing student 1 observing Tutor

6. Heinz should steal the medicine, because saving a human life is a more fundamental value than the property rights of another person. Or: Heinz should not steal the medicine, because that violates the golden rule of honesty and respect. 5. Heinz should steal the medicine, because everyone has a right to live, regardless of the law. Or: Heinz should not steal the medicine, because the scientist has a right to fair compensation. 4. Heinz should not steal the medicine, because the law prohibits stealing. 3. Heinz should steal the medicine, because his wife expects it. 2. 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. 1. Heinz should not steal the medicine, because he will consequently be put in prison. The Heinz dilemma Stage one (obedience): Stage two (self-interest): Stage three (conformity): Stage four (law-and-order): Stage five (human rights/ social contract): Stage six (universal human ethics):

Stage 4 ½ Stage one (obedience): Stage two (self-interest): Stage three (conformity): Stage four (law-and-order): Stage five (human rights/ social contract): Stage six (universal human ethics):

Sharon and Uli: Scenario to exercise the assessment of the stage of Moral Reasoning Homework

The goal is to help the group arrive at a more mature moral reasoning level MRT: Moral Reasoning Training Goldstein, Glick, Gibbs m RT:

Typical moral reasoning distortions 1.Self-centeredness 2.Assuming the worst 3.Blaming others 4.Normalizing / mislabelling m RT:

0 Preparation 1 Rules 2 Problem situation 3 Questionnaires 4 Cultivate mature morality 5 Remediate moral developmental delay 6 Consolidate mature morality The process of MRT m RT:

0 Preparation 1 Rules 2 Problem situation 3 Questionnaires 4 Cultivate mature morality 5 Remediate moral developmental delay 6 Consolidate mature morality The process of MRT m RT:

0 Preparation 1 Rules 2 Problem situation 3 Questionnaire 4 Cultivate mature morality 5 Remediate moral developmental delay 6 Consolidate mature morality  Never put down or threaten anyone.  Listen to what others have to say.  If you criticize another group member, give that person a chance to answer.  Stay on the subject when you disagree.  Never talk to anyone outside the group about what is said in the group. The process of MRT m RT:

0 Preparation 1 Rules 2 Problem situation 3 Questionnaire 4 Cultivate mature morality 5 Remediate moral developmental delay 6 Consolidate mature morality Who can tell what Jerry’s problem is? Why is this a problem? Do problems like this happen? Who has been in a situation like this? Can you tell the group about it? The process of MRT m RT:

0 Preparation 1 Rules 2 Problem situation 4 Cultivate mature morality 5 Remediate moral developmental delay 6 Consolidate mature morality 3 Questionnaire The process of MRT m RT:

0 Preparation 1 Rules 2 Problem situation 3 Questionnaire 4 Cultivate mature morality 5 Remediate moral developmental delay 6 Consolidate mature morality Highlight mature morality by asking group members who indicated positive decisions about the reasons for those decisions Write those reasons on a board for the group to consider. The process of MRT m RT:

0 Preparation 1 Rules 2 Problem situation 3 Questionnaire 4 Cultivate mature morality 5 Remediate moral developmental delay 6 Consolidate mature morality Ask group members who indicated negative decisions about their reasons Write down reasons Ask group members who indicated positive decisions whether these reasons make them re- consider their decision. Why not? Let the moral disequilibration and group dynamics work. Give group members with negative decisions a good way of changing their decision and reinforce the change with positive comments. The process of MRT m RT:

The process of MRT 0 Preparation 1 Rules 2 Problem situation 3 Questionnaire 4 Cultivate mature morality 5 Remediate moral developmental delay 6 Consolidate mature morality Ask the group about the groups ”official” decision. Ask whether there are any objections to the groups ”official” decision. If none: Circle the answer on the bottom row red. If yes: Put a red question mark beside the answer on the bottom row. It stays the majority decision. Let the moral disequilibration work. frustration from a deadlock stimulates moral development

Exercise: Jim‘s Problem

Teleological Ethics: The claim that an action is right or wrong on the basis of the consequences/outcome. Deontological Ethics: The claim that an action is right or wrong independent of the consequences. Discourse-Ethics: The claim that an action is right or wrong on the basis of the fair agreement of people concerned.

Stage 1 Power “Might makes right!” Stage 2 Deals Stage 3: Mutuality Stage 4: Systems “You’ll scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours!” “Treat others as you would hope they would treat you!” “Are you contributing to society?” MRT STAGES m RT

Kohlberg 6 universal human ethics 5 human rights/ social contract 4 law-and-order 3 conformity 2 self-interest 1 obedience m RT:

The presupposition that participants in communicative exchange are using the same linguistic expressions in the same way The presupposition that no relevant argument is suppressed or excluded by the participants The presupposition that no force except that of the better argument is exerted The presupposition that all the participants are motivated only by a concern for the better argument There were also presuppositions unique to discourse: The presupposition that everyone would agree to the universal validity of the claim thematized The presupposition that everyone capable of speech and action is entitled to participate, and everyone is equally entitled to introduce new topics or express attitudes needs or desires The presupposition that no validity claim is exempt in principle from critical evaluation in argumentation