The theory by Kohlberg has certainly done well to identify that moral reasoning is the main component of integrity and it is associated with specific developmental categories. Each category comprises of a specific set of moral dilemmas. According to Kohlberg, cognitive and moral development are integrated. In most cases, the technique is implemented through an interview approach involve a set of moral dilemmas which are presented to the interviewee as fictional stories (Pollock, 2016). The results of the test are then tabulated into specific score sheets, which are used to determine the most accurate stage to classify the interviewee.
While the moral stages provided by Kohlberg often relate to a specific set of moral dilemmas, these stages are highly effective at categorizing and justifying the behavior of people. Personalities tend to be composed of various experiences, memories, genetic makeups. As a result, people tend to have different types of behaviors and often show different responses to a given stimulus. This type of psychological concepts is also important in modern-day medical psychology, where professionals use them to address a host of unique social dilemmas.
The moral stages provided by Kohlberg work well to help in the classification of these behaviors. In fact, according to Kohlberg, the process of moral development is directly correlated with justice and it proceeds all throughout a person’s life. The moral stages provided by Kohlberg are not only focused on the content provided by the interviewee, but it is also concerned with their overall score. Many critics have been quick to point out the deficiencies and shortcomings of Kohlberg`s moral stages theory. That said, human nature is a complex subject that changes on a constant basis. As a result, Kohlberg’s model is only one of the many effective models that try to address the ever-changing nature of human nature.
The best category for me in Kohlberg’s Moral stages is stage five, otherwise referred to as the `social contract driven. ` The social contract driven individual believes the world is composed of varying rules, regulations, rights and opinions. The human race falls under the category of social beings, and thus requires special rules and regulations to govern our ways of life. Nevertheless, not all of these regulations can be similar because we all have different social make-ups and worldviews. All of these unique perspectives should be identified and respected as unique for each individual in the community. Laws are not supposed to be `set in stone` but should be based on coherent and special social agreements in between a group of people. Any social contracts that compromise development or prosperity in the society should be calibrated when necessary. Using techniques such as majority voting systems and democratic governments are all considered forms of stage five reasoning (Rooney, 2015).
My moral opinion falls more into this category because I believe that factors such as human culture and worldviews differ all over the world. We are all unique in various ways as social beings, and this means that even our most fundamental ways of life should be governed through social contracts. In some cases, what is deemed as wrongful in one setting or society, might not necessarily be classified as wrong in another society. Social laws and regulations are important because they allow us to come up with consistent social structures to address social challenges and opportunities.
Even more, the use of systems such as majority decision making and democratic governments are also important for human prosperity. These are forms of stage 5 moral decision making which apply to various aspects of life.
