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Conventional Morality

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Conventional Morality
Conventional Morality and Ethical Relativism

I - Kohlberg’s Moral Development Theory

The theory holds that moral reasoning, the basis for ethical behavior, has six identifiable developmental stages, each more adequate at responding to moral dilemmas than its predecessor.

Kohlberg's Theory of Moral Development | | | | | Level One:
Pre-conventional Morality | Stage 1: Punishment-Obedience Orientation | | Stage 2: Instrumental Relativist Orientation | Level Two:
Conventional Morality | Stage 3: Good Boy-Nice Girl Orientation | | Stage 4: Law and Order Orientation | Level Three:
Post-Conventional Morality | Stage 5: Social Contract Orientation | | Stage 6: Universal Ethical Principle Orientation | | | | | | |
Level 1 – Pre-conventional Morality

People at this stage do not really understand the conventions / rules of a society.

* Stage 1: Punishment-Obedience Orientation

Lawrence Kohlberg: "Physical consequences of an action determine its goodness or badness regardless of the human meaning or value of these consequences. Avoidance of punishment and unquestioning deference to power are valued in their own right, not in terms of respect for an underlying moral order supported by punishment and authority." (Duska, R. and Whelan, M., 1975)

Summary: The concern is for self - "Will I get into trouble for doing (or not doing) it?" Good behaviour is associated with avoiding punishment.

Inadequacy of Stage 1 reasoning: Avoidance of punishment regardless of the ethical value of the actions is unhealthy especially under "bad" authorities such as Adolf Hitler.

* Stage 2: Instrumental Relativist Orientation

Lawrence Kohlberg: Right action is "that which instrumentally satisfies one's own needs and occasionally the needs of others." "Human relations are viewed in terms like those of the marketplace; elements of fairness, reciprocity and equal sharing are present, but they are always interpreted in a physical
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