On pages 106-111 the work of Lawrence Kohlberg is mentioned. I vaguely remember reading somewhere about the Six Stages of Moral Development, but until I read this book, I had forgotten all about this theory. However, it has taken on special meaning in my present circumstances. I will quote directly from the book:
“According to Kohlberg (1981, pp17-19) people pass through six stages of moral development:
STAGE 1 THE PUNISHMENT AND OBEDIENCE ORIENTATION
The physical consequences of action determine its goodness or badness.
Avoidance of punishment and unquestioning deference to power are valued in their own right.
STAGE 2 THE INSTRUMENTAL RELATIVIST ORIENTATION
Right action consists of that which instrumentally satisfies one’s needs and occasionally the needs of others.
Reciprocity is a matter of “You scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours.”
STAGE 3 GOOD BOY-NICE GIRL ORIENTATION
Good behavior is that which pleases or helps others and is approved by them.
STAGE 4 SOCIETY MAINTAINING ORIENTATION
There is an orientation toward authority, fixed rules, and the maintenance of social order.
Right behavior consists of showing respect to authority.
STAGE 5 THE SOCIAL CONTRACT ORIENTATION
Right actions tend to be defined in terms of general individual rights and in terms of standards that have been critically examined and agreed on by the whole of society.
STAGE 6 THE UNIVERSAL ETHICAL PRINCIPLE ORIENTATION
Right is defined by the decision of conscience in accord with self chosen ethical principles appealing to logical comprehensiveness, universality, and consistency.
What stage do you think BLOOMBERG is opearating at? At what stage does he demand that LEADERSHIP ACADEMY PRINCIPALS perform? At what stage do LEADERSHIP ACADEMY PRINCIPALS demand that TEACHERS perform?
How about SCI INVESTIGATORS? At what stage are they performing when they do their investigations? How about HEARING OFFICERS and ARBITRATORS?
AND WHAT ABOUT THE ELECTED LEADERS OF THE UNITED FEDERATION OF TEACHERS?
Read more about the SIX STAGES OF MORAL DEVELOPMENT. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kohlberg%27s_stages_of_moral_development
BACK TO THE PRESENT
No comments:
Post a Comment