The Thematic Topic of Morality The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

Moral Issues in Huck Finn Tom Sawyer’s “Gang of Robbers” Tom and Huck’s pranks Lies and deception Slavery

Kohlberg’s Stages of Moral Reasoning Lawrence Kohlberg (1927-1987) was a well-known theorist in the field of moral development. He conducted moral dilemma surveys to probe people’s moral reasoning. He created and used the “Heinz Dilemma” to determine the various levels of human morality

The Heinz Dilemma Scenario 1: Should Heinz break into the laboratory to steal the drug for his wife? Why or why not?

Heinz Dilemma Scenario 2: Should Brown report what he saw? Why or why not?

Heinz Dilemma Scenario 3: Should the judge sentence Heinz to prison? Why or why not?

Level One: Pre-Conventional Morality Stage 0 Stage 1 Stage 2

Stage 0: Egocentric Reasoning Self-centered Orientation Preschool years to around age 4

Stage 1: Unquestioning Obedience Punishment-Obedience Orientation Around kindergarten age

Stage 2: What’s in-It-for-Me Fairness Instrumental Relativist Orientation Early elementary grades

Level Two: Conventional Morality Stage 3 Stage 4

Stage 3: Interpersonal Conformity Good Boy- Nice Girl Orientation Upper elementary grades to early to mid-teens

Stage 4: Responsibilty to “the System” Law and Order Orientation High school years or late teens

Level Three: Post-Conventional Morality Stage 5

Stage 5: Principled Conscience Social Contract Orientation Universal Ethical Principle Orientation Young adulthood