Understanding Moral Reasoning: Stages and Development

Understanding Moral Reasoning

The Moral Practical Reason for Moral Action: Essentially, human behavior (conscious and free), controlled by values and rules (expressions of such values) that allow us to distinguish between morally good and bad.

Conscience and Moral Awareness

Conscience: Awareness is the ability to move humans to notice something.

Moral Science and Principles

Moral Science: The ability of practical reason to capture the moral principles which can distinguish between morally good and bad. The individual must be aware of the following elements:

• The Reasons: Impel us to act in one way or another.
• The Purpose: To want to achieve and moves the will.
• Means: To be used for the end result.
• The Result: The achievement of the end pursued.

Piaget and Kohlberg's Theories

Piaget and Kohlberg: Believe that moral conscience is a skill that develops in man throughout their lifetime.

Factors Influencing Moral Development

• Psychological Maturity: Every intellectual and emotional person.
• Influence of the Environment: The living environment (family, friends).

Levels of Moral Development

Pre-Conventional Level

Individualistic Attitude: It is something that satisfies the interests of the subject in each situation.

Heteronomous Morality: Is "by something outside and distinct from individual consciousness." Moral judgments are not freely accepted.

1. Avoid punishment by not breaking norms.
2. Meet the interests of those who decide on tax rules.

Conventional Level

Collective: Ensures the survival of the group. The subject recognizes the existence of others that are equal and with which it has common interests. Heteronomous morality means the person is able to control their ego drives.

3. Has a need to be acceptable and considered a good person by members of the group.
4. It is the duty of the subject to the established order of life in society to avoid chaos.

Post-Conventional Level

Moral Autonomy: Is acceptable and recognized based on sound and universal principles that are analyzed critically by reason and considered valuable in itself.

5. Standards have been freely accepted by the majority in a comprehensive agreement (it must be to respect the rights of others).
6. The person recognizes the universal validity of certain moral principles; these values are their duty, and they act accordingly.