Implications of Cultural Diversity for the Universality Claims of Kohlberg’s Theory of Moral Reasoning

Datos Bibliográficos

ID20293233
AutoresMichael C Boyes, Michael Boyes (University of British Columbia), Lawrence J Walker (0000-0001-7789-6130, University of British Columbia)
Año2009
Volumen31
Número1
Páginas44-59
Fecha de publicación2009-12-24
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaHuman Development (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 0018-716X • E-ISSN: 1423-0054
EditorialS. Karger AG (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.1159/000273203
OpenAlexW2078360274
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas14

Kohlberg’s claim that his theory of moral reasoning development has universal validity and that the evidence is consistent with a position of ethical nonrelativity is evaluated. The available data indicate that the cognitive-developmental criteria for a strict moral stage model do hold universally and that the theory does reflect much of what is morally relevant in diverse cultures. However, the theory’s universal applicability is challenged by evidence that it misses or misconstrues some significant moral concepts from several cultures. It is argued that Kohlberg’s universality claims are grounded in metaethical assumptions about the nature of morality. Although the validity of these assumptions cannot be proven at an empirical level, doubt would be cast on their plausibility by failure to support the empirical claims of the theory

Developmental psychology · Empirical evidence · Epistemology · Lawrence Kohlberg's stages of moral development · Moral development · Moral disengagement · Moral psychology · Moral reasoning · Morality · Social cognitive theory of morality · Social intuitionism · Stage theory · Universality (dynamical systems) · Cultural Differences and Values · Ethics in Business and Education · Philosophy · Psychology · Psychology of Moral and Emotional Judgment · Social Psychology