The Thematic Topic The Thematic Topic of Moralityof Morality

The Adventures of The Adventures of Huckleberry FinnHuckleberry Finn

Moral Issues in Moral Issues in Huck FinnHuck Finn

Tom Sawyer’s “Gang of Tom Sawyer’s “Gang of Robbers”Robbers”

Tom and Huck’s pranksTom and Huck’s pranksLies and deceptionLies and deceptionSlaverySlavery

Kohlberg’s Stages of Moral Kohlberg’s Stages of Moral ReasoningReasoning

Lawrence Kohlberg (1927-1987) was Lawrence Kohlberg (1927-1987) was a well-known theorist in the field of a well-known theorist in the field of moral development. He conducted moral development. He conducted moral dilemma surveys to probe moral dilemma surveys to probe people’s moral reasoning.people’s moral reasoning.

He created and used the “Heinz He created and used the “Heinz Dilemma” to determine the various Dilemma” to determine the various levels of human moralitylevels of human morality

The Heinz DilemmaThe Heinz Dilemma

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

Heinz DilemmaHeinz Dilemma

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

Heinz DilemmaHeinz Dilemma

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

Level One: Pre-Level One: Pre-Conventional MoralityConventional Morality

Stage 0Stage 0

Stage 1Stage 1

Stage 2Stage 2

Stage 0: Egocentric Stage 0: Egocentric ReasoningReasoning

Self-centered OrientationSelf-centered OrientationPreschool years to around Preschool years to around age 4age 4

Stage 1: Stage 1: Unquestioning Unquestioning

ObedienceObedience

Punishment-Obedience Punishment-Obedience OrientationOrientationAround kindergarten ageAround kindergarten age

Stage 2: What’s in-It-Stage 2: What’s in-It-for-Me Fairnessfor-Me Fairness

Instrumental Relativist Instrumental Relativist Orientation Orientation Early elementary gradesEarly elementary grades

Level Two: Level Two: Conventional MoralityConventional Morality

Stage 3Stage 3

Stage 4Stage 4

Stage 3: Interpersonal Stage 3: Interpersonal ConformityConformity

Good Boy- Nice Girl Good Boy- Nice Girl Orientation Orientation Upper elementary grades to Upper elementary grades to early to mid-teensearly to mid-teens

Stage 4: Responsibilty Stage 4: Responsibilty to “the System”to “the System”

Law and Order Orientation Law and Order Orientation High school years or late High school years or late teensteens

Level Three: Post-Level Three: Post-Conventional MoralityConventional Morality

Stage 5Stage 5

Stage 5: Principled Stage 5: Principled ConscienceConscience

Social Contract OrientationSocial Contract Orientation Universal Ethical Principle Universal Ethical Principle OrientationOrientation Young adulthoodYoung adulthood