A Moral Dilemma Assignment Sample
Lawrence Kohlberg crafted a theory that has been influential in as far as moral development is concerned. This theory has undergone a lot of revisions over years as opposed to Piaget’s theory. According to Kohlberg, moral development is a process that takes place gradually, over a given period of time and at various stages through the life of an individual. In the theory, Kohlberg agrees with Piaget that in order to determine the level of the child, the thoughts behind the moral judgment of the child is inevitable. For the case of the student, she chooses to do something that she believes is wrong but has a reason that in itself suggests a level of moral development which is low. According to Kohlberg, cognitive development is a precursor that is exceedingly crucial in the moral development. With respect to Kohlberg’s six stages of moral dilemma theory, I think the female adolescent is making the right decision by lying to her parents that she has in school suspension in order to concentrate in her schoolwork. This is primarily because she aims at reaching her goal of going to a college school one day and advance her studies. Pre-conventional level A Moral Dilemma Assignment Sample
According to this level, the female adolescent acts rightly. This level bases on the direct consequences of the actions to judge the morality. The adolescent’s lying ultimately has a valid consequence, which is passing of examinations and advancing to college. This level has two main stages; stage one on the punishment and obedience drive and stage two on the self interest drive. The female adolescent chooses to put more emphasis on the second stage of self interest and chooses to ignore the obedience and punishment drive. In this case, the dilemma that the lady is exposed to justify her choice of lying to her parents. (Harding, 1985)
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Conventional level
This level is common to adults and adolescents. In this level, the societal views and expectations are the basis of judging morality. The society is given uplift in deciding what the wrongs and rights are. This level has the third stage, conformity drive which largely bases on how the society perceive one, and the fourth stage driven by obedience of the social order and authority. In this stage, the social conventions and dictums are the main components. I believe the female adolescent’s move is right as she opts to do what is not wrong. Despite her parent’s view that she is not to attend school, the girl takes a step that could in the end portray her as learned, thus, meeting the standards of stature in the society. (Tuckman & Monetti, 2010)A Moral Dilemma Assignment Sample
Post-Conventional level
This level is based on the fact that individuals are different from the society. (Thomas, 1999). It is based more on the principles. In this level, an individual can disobey the laws or expectations of the society on the basis of their own principles. The level has stage five driven by the social contract which emphasizes on the need to respect and accommodate the various societal views and the need to change those laws that do not promote the welfare of the people. The sixth stage bases on the reasoning that is abstract and based on ethical principles. In this aspect, the female adolescent made the right choice of lying to her parents based on her principles and the fact that her parents’ views do not add value to the welfare of the adolescent. A Moral Dilemma Assignment Sample
