Moral Development Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 1

Moral information - Essay ExampleKohlberg modified an earlier system by psychologist Jean Piaget by expounding on it to form a theory that illustrates the development of lesson reasoning. Gilligan on the opposite hand, advanced a theory that was an improvement in Kohlbergs work, but her focus was on example development in girls (Duska & Whelan 25). Kohlbergs theory This theory was based on research and interviews that Kohlberg conducted with many groups of privileged young children. The children were presented with various dilemmas, and severally childs reasoning behind the judgment made in response to the dilemma was analyse (Duska & Whelan 56). From responses that the children gave, Kohlberg managed to classify responses into 3 stages of reasoning. These stages are pre-conventional morality, conventional morality and post conventional morality. The stages are further assort into sub-stages, two in each case. This forms the basis for the theory of Kohlberg on moral developme nt. The stage of Pre-conventional Morality is among birth and 9 years comprises of obedience and individualism. By young children being obedient to rules and ideas, it enables them to avoid punishment. The children too are individualistic by only caring about themselves. They make judgment basing their reasoning on factors that favor their individual needs (Duska & Whelan 58). The stage of Conventional Morality is between 9 and 20 years... Criticisms of Kohlbergs Theory and the Defense Just like with other theories, Kohlbergs theory of reasoning in moral development has been faced with criticisms from other psychologists. For one, there is the assertion that Kohlbergs theory discusses about moral persuasion ignoring the fact that moral reasoning does not necessarily lead to moral behavior. This assertion is misplaced beca implement moral thinking always leads to moral deeds. We all perform deeds based on our thinking. It is, therefore, rare to ascend an individual who thinks wick edly doing well to others. Because of this, Kohlbergs theory is accurate. Other critics have highlighted that Kohlbergs theory overemphasizes on evaluator when making moral decisions and choices. They argue that this may be inaccurate because other factors like blessing and other interpersonal feelings may play a part in making moral decisions and reasoning. Therefore, this shows that justice is not the only aspect of moral reasoning that should be considered. However, this assertion is also not true. in all individuals who know and understand dictates of the law make decisions based on justice. As much as other factors come into play, Justice is the greatest factor to consider when making decisions because an individual may be impulsive to do something but because it does not conform to justice, the individual may abandon the idea. Furthermore, many critics argue that Kohlbergs theory overemphasizes on western philosophy. This makes the theory inaccurate because Eastern culture s may have different outlooks and perceptions on moral reasoning that Kohlbergs theory does not discuss at all. Kohlberg is right in the use of western philosophy because, one always bases a theory on the surrounding conditions. Kohlberg studies the