The document discusses Kohlberg's stages of moral development and Gilligan's critique of only using male subjects in developing the theory. It explains Kohlberg's three levels of moral reasoning: pre-conventional, conventional, and post-conventional. It then outlines Gilligan's perspective that women tend to make moral decisions based more on contextual relationships rather than abstract principles. The document concludes by posing a moral dilemma about a man stealing a drug to save his wife from cancer.
The document discusses Kohlberg's stages of moral development and Gilligan's critique of only using male subjects in developing the theory. It explains Kohlberg's three levels of moral reasoning: pre-conventional, conventional, and post-conventional. It then outlines Gilligan's perspective that women tend to make moral decisions based more on contextual relationships rather than abstract principles. The document concludes by posing a moral dilemma about a man stealing a drug to save his wife from cancer.
The document discusses Kohlberg's stages of moral development and Gilligan's critique of only using male subjects in developing the theory. It explains Kohlberg's three levels of moral reasoning: pre-conventional, conventional, and post-conventional. It then outlines Gilligan's perspective that women tend to make moral decisions based more on contextual relationships rather than abstract principles. The document concludes by posing a moral dilemma about a man stealing a drug to save his wife from cancer.
Joseph's Moral development › Development of moral autonomy Cognitive development › Development of I.Q
Transition from stage to stage is fueled by
cognitive development
Professional Ethics by S.Arunachalam, A.P/EEE St.Joseph's
Pre conventional level Conventional level Post conventional level
Professional Ethics by S.Arunachalam, A.P/EEE St.Joseph's
Self interest dominates and individuals are motivated to satisfy their needs Wants to avoid punishment › Me against the world Recognize that your friend will help as long as you help him › You scratch my back and I will scratch you Behave according to socially acceptable norms Professional Ethics by S.Arunachalam, A.P/EEE St.Joseph's Norms of the family, group or society are accepted as ethical requirements Desire to please others at the cost of his self interests Recognition of good and bad and fear for law and order are developed at this level Many studies of Kohlberg reveal that most of the adults are living at this level only Professional Ethics by S.Arunachalam, A.P/EEE St.Joseph's One clearly understands the principles of ethics, the right and wrong and also duties and responsibilities to society They cannot accept unethical practices of others and do their best to tutor others They do what is morally correct with out any ulterior motive. They are willing to risk their chance for others Professional Ethics by S.Arunachalam, A.P/EEE St.Joseph's How to judge, whether an individual belongs to first, or second, or third level? What is the correct stage to specify moral development or growth? How does one say that the higher level represent more advanced stage of moral maturity? Only few people reach the post conventional level Professional Ethics by S.Arunachalam, A.P/EEE St.Joseph's Former student of and colleague of Kohlberg Samples used by Kohlberg are male samples Men solve problem by applying abstract moral principles Resolve moral dilemma by applying most important moral rule Women's focus their attention to the context of the problem. They try harder to preserve their personal relationship with all people involed
Professional Ethics by S.Arunachalam, A.P/EEE St.Joseph's
Pre conventional level Conventional level Post conventional level
Professional Ethics by S.Arunachalam, A.P/EEE St.Joseph's
Almost the same as Kohlberg’s first level Self centered reasoning
Professional Ethics by S.Arunachalam, A.P/EEE St.Joseph's
This level differs from Kohlberg’s second level Women will not hurt others and have willingness to sacrifice their own interests in order to help others
Professional Ethics by S.Arunachalam, A.P/EEE St.Joseph's
Individual is able to balance his own needs with the needs of others The balancing can be achieved through context oriented reasoning rather than by applying abstract rules ranked in hierarchy
Professional Ethics by S.Arunachalam, A.P/EEE St.Joseph's
A woman living in Europe, who will die from cancer unless she obtains an expensive drug that the doctors think will help her. Her husband, Heinz’s, cannot afford to purchase the drug. The local pharmacist is charging ten times the cost of making the drug. He also invented the drug and remains the sole source for obtaining it. The husband goes to everyone he know seeking to borrow money, but he manages to raise only half the money needed to purchase the drug. When he asks the pharmacist to sell the drug at a cheaper price or let him pay for it later, the pharmacist refuse. In desperation, Heinz breaks into the pharmacy and steals the drug. Was the theft morally right or wrong ? Professional Ethics by S.Arunachalam, A.P/EEE St.Joseph's