Moral Reasoning
Definition
Moral reasoning refers to the process through which individuals try to determine the difference between what is right and what is wrong by using logic.
Analogy
Imagine moral reasoning as your internal GPS system. When you're faced with ethical dilemmas or decisions, it helps guide you towards morally correct choices based on your values and principles.
Related terms
Preconventional Morality: This stage in Kohlberg's theory involves children obeying rules to avoid punishment or gain rewards. It’s like playing a game just to win prizes or avoid losing points.
Conventional Morality: At this stage in Kohlberg's theory, people follow societal norms and laws because they understand their importance in maintaining order. It’s akin to driving according to traffic rules not just because there are penalties but also because it keeps everyone safe on the road.
Postconventional Morality: In this final stage of Kohlberg's theory, individuals develop personal standards of right and wrong, and sometimes these may conflict with societal rules. It’s like a journalist publishing an important truth even if it goes against the wishes of powerful people.
"Moral Reasoning" appears in:
Study guides (1)
Practice Questions (8)
_____ believed that a child's moral judgements build on cognitive development. ______ agreed and sought to describe the development of moral reasoning
In Kohlberg’s theory, children first develop what type of moral reasoning?
In Carol Gilligan’s perspective, how does moral reasoning in females differ from males during adolescent development?
Who proposed a theory suggesting that moral reasoning evolves through stages as children grow older?
What does Lawrence Kohlberg's post-conventional level of moral reasoning involve?
According to Kohlberg's theory, at what age does a child typically reach the conventional level of moral reasoning?
What did Lawrence Kohlberg define as the highest level of moral reasoning?
Who proposed a care perspective to counterbalance Lawrence Kohlberg's justice perspective on moral reasoning?
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