Glossary
Care-Based Morality
A moral orientation, proposed by Carol Gilligan and often associated with women, that emphasizes interconnectedness, relationships, empathy, and avoiding harm.
Example:
A person employing care-based morality might prioritize resolving a dispute by focusing on maintaining harmony and understanding the emotional needs of everyone involved, rather than strictly adhering to rules.
Carol Gilligan
An American psychologist who critiqued Kohlberg's theory, arguing that it was biased towards a male, justice-based perspective and overlooked a female, care-based moral orientation.
Example:
Gilligan's work highlighted that moral development might differ between genders, with women often emphasizing relationships and interconnectedness more than abstract rules, a concept she explored in her book 'In a Different Voice.'
Conventional Morality
The second level of Kohlberg's theory, common in early adolescence, where moral decisions are based on social norms, rules, and the desire to gain approval or maintain social order.
Example:
A teenager demonstrating conventional morality might choose to follow school rules, even if they disagree with them, because they want to be seen as a 'good student' by their teachers and peers.
Heinz dilemma
A classic moral dilemma used by Lawrence Kohlberg to assess an individual's stage of moral reasoning, involving a man who must decide whether to steal a life-saving drug for his sick wife.
Example:
When asked about the Heinz dilemma, a person might argue that Heinz should steal the drug because a human life is more valuable than property, revealing their moral reasoning.
Jean Piaget
A Swiss psychologist known for his theory of cognitive development, who also proposed that moral reasoning develops alongside symbolic thinking.
Example:
Piaget's work suggests that a child's ability to understand complex moral concepts, like fairness, grows as their cognitive abilities mature, moving from concrete to more abstract thought. For instance, a young child might only understand fairness as 'everyone gets the same amount,' while an older child understands it as 'everyone gets what they needs.'
Justice-Based Morality
A moral orientation, often associated with men and emphasized in Kohlberg's theory, that focuses on abstract principles, fairness, equality, and individual rights.
Example:
When faced with a conflict, someone using justice-based morality might prioritize ensuring that rules are applied equally to all parties, regardless of personal relationships.
Lawrence Kohlberg
An American psychologist who developed a theory of moral development, proposing that individuals progress through three levels and six stages of moral reasoning.
Example:
Kohlberg's research often involved presenting moral dilemmas, like the Heinz dilemma, to participants to understand the reasoning behind their moral judgments.
Postconventional Morality
The third and highest level of Kohlberg's theory, typically reached in adolescence and beyond, where moral reasoning is based on personal ethical principles, universal human rights, and justice.
Example:
An adult operating at the postconventional morality level might participate in a peaceful protest against an unjust law, believing that universal human rights supersede the existing legal framework.
Preconventional Morality
The first level of Kohlberg's theory of moral development, typically seen in children before age 9, where morality is self-centered and based on avoiding punishment or gaining rewards.
Example:
A child exhibiting preconventional morality might decide not to cheat on a test solely because they fear getting caught and receiving a bad grade.