Moral Development – the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

How do we as a society view morality?

·  A moral dilemma is a choice one must make between 2 equally unattractive possibilities Morality asks, “What is right conduct in a given society?”

·  The philosopher Kant believes we are born with the ability to formulate principles.

*Most dilemmas are moral. If no conscience, then no dilemma*

What keeps us straight and our morals in check? Principles.

·  If we as a society go against the cultural standards, we are exhibiting sociopathic behavior.

Stages of Moral Development

(Adapted from Kohlberg, 1964)

Stage /

Issue of Moral Concern

Preconventional Level: Selfish Obedience
I /

·  Lowest level you can be morally

·  Rules followed to avoid punishment
·  Obedience and concern for physical consequences.
II / ·  Doing things for others because it will result in others doing things in return
·  Concern for reward
·  Equal sharing and benefit to self.
Conventional Level: Conforming to Traditions
III / ·  Whatever pleases the majority is considered morally right
·  Other viewpoints can be seen, but conformity is prized
·  Desire to do things for others.
IV / ·  Group authority, law, duty and rules of society prized
·  Concern for maintaining social order for its own sake
·  Social disapproval avoided
·  Emphasis on the inherent 'rightness' of rules and duties.
·  This may inhibit the freedom of certain individuals--this is not a perfect system--but it is the best we have.
Universal Ethical Principles: Moral Principles Beyond Conformity
V / ·  Internal commitment to principles of personal conscience
·  Concern with individual rights within standards set by consensus
·  Emphasis on fair procedures for reaching consensus and for evaluating principles and rules.
VI / ·  Concern with universal ethical principles and abstract morality affecting all beings regardless of conventional views
·  Emphasis on universality, consistency, and logical comprehensiveness.

Kohlberg says that we usually behave at a level lower than what we say.

Huck faces many MORAL DILEMMAS. Three ways to analyze Huck’s moral growth include

1.  Behavioral: the ability to resist temptation to break a rule when detection and punishment seems unlikely

2.  The emotion of guilt: the self-punishing reaction of anxiety and remorse after breaking cultural standards.

3.  Capacity to make judgments: the ability to justify maintaining the cultural standard to one’s self and others.

STAGE / ISSUE OF MORAL CONCERN
Preconventional Level: Selfish Obedience
I
II
Conventional Level: Conforming to Traditions
III
IV
Universal Ethical Principles: Moral Principles Beyond Conformity
V
VI

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