Lawrence Kohlberg described three levels of moral reasoning: preconventional, conventional, and postconventional. To develop a better understanding of these three levels of moral reasoning, read through the moral dilemma below and then respond from the perspective of each of the three levels of Kohlberg’s moral reasoning. Moral Dilemma A man is sitting at home worrying about the fact that his daughter needs major surgery to save her life, but he does not have the money to pay for it. He asked family and friends to help but was only able to raise about a quarter of the money needed for the surgery. The man then remembers that he has power of attorney (i.e., control over someone else’s finances) for his out-of-touch-with-reality but otherwise healthy father who is 85. He could easily pay for the surgery using his father’s money without anyone knowing. However, if he does this, it would leave his father with only one year of living expenses. The man decides to take his father’s money to pay for the surgery. Was this action moral or immoral? Why or why not? How would an individual at the preconventional level of moral reasoning likely respond? How would an individual at the conventional level of moral reasoning likely respond? How would an individual at the postconventional level of moral reasoning likely respond? Minimum 400 words (please make sure your response includes a word count)
Moral reasoning, as described by Lawrence Kohlberg, progresses through three distinct levels: preconventional, conventional, and postconventional. Each level reflects different stages of ethical development and decision-making. Let’s explore how individuals at each of these levels might respond to a moral dilemma involving a life-saving surgery and financial choices.
Individuals at the preconventional level predominantly base their moral judgments on self-interest and avoiding punishment. In this context, the man’s action to use his father’s money for his daughter’s surgery might be considered moral by someone at this level. They might argue that saving his daughter’s life is a paramount goal, and the consequences for his father might be secondary. The action is moral as it serves the man’s self-interest and avoids the guilt of not saving his daughter. The preconventional thinker may disregard the consequences for his father and focus on his own needs.
At the conventional level, moral reasoning extends beyond self-interest to maintaining societal norms and obeying authority figures. From this perspective, the man’s decision may be perceived as immoral. Those at the conventional level often adhere to the rules and expect others to do the same. Using his father’s money without consent would violate this principle. The emphasis here is on respecting and upholding the social contract, which includes following legal and ethical guidelines. The man’s actions may be seen as transgressing these norms, and thus, considered immoral.
Individuals at the postconventional level exhibit a more nuanced and principled approach to moral dilemmas. They consider broader ethical principles and universal rights. In this case, someone at the postconventional level may argue that the man’s action is morally justifiable based on a higher ethical principle—saving a life. They would weigh the value of life and well-being above societal norms or personal gain. However, their response might include elements of moral dilemma, acknowledging the complexity of the situation. They would likely question whether there were other ways to secure the funds or seek consent from his father, respecting his autonomy. The postconventional thinker may conclude that the action can be seen as moral if other options have been exhausted and the intention to save a life is genuinely noble.
In summary, different levels of moral reasoning, as described by Kohlberg, lead to diverse perspectives on the man’s actions regarding the life-saving surgery and the use of his father’s money. The preconventional thinker focuses on self-interest, the conventional thinker on societal norms, and the postconventional thinker on universal ethical principles. The moral dilemma illustrates the evolution of ethical reasoning as individuals progress through these levels of moral development.
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