Kohlberg

Kohlberg is a surname. The most prominent bearer is Lawrence Kohlberg (1927–1987), an American psychologist who refined and extended Jean Piaget's work on moral development. Through longitudinal interview studies, he proposed a stage theory describing how moral reasoning matures.

The theory posits six hierarchical stages grouped into three levels: preconventional, conventional, and postconventional. At the preconventional level, stage 1 is Obedience and punishment, and stage 2 is Individualism and exchange. The conventional level includes stage 3 Good interpersonal relationships and stage 4 Maintaining social order. The postconventional level comprises stage 5 Social contract and stage 6 Universal ethical principles. Kohlberg argued that individuals progress through these stages in a fixed sequence as cognitive abilities develop and social experiences accumulate. He used moral dilemmas, notably the Heinz dilemma, to assess moral reasoning rather than verdicts.

Impact and criticisms: Kohlberg's framework influenced education, psychology, and ethics, guiding efforts to measure moral reasoning and to design curricula that promote higher-order thinking. It also drew critique for reliance on Western, male-centered samples and for concentrating on justice over other ethical orientations such as care. Critics have also argued that moral reasoning does not always predict moral action and that culture and gender can shape moral judgments differently. Despite criticisms, the theory remains a foundational reference in discussions of moral development and moral education.