Moral Development and its Explanation: Kohlberg's Structuralism

Abstract

<p>This study examines Lawrence Kohlberg's Cognitive-Development theory of moral development and its relation to moral education. Kohlberg's structuralism is called into question as an explanation of the established facts of moral development, and it is suggested that alternative explanations may be at least equally satisfactory. The close connection between Kohlberg's formalist value-theory and his psychological explanation is then explored. It is found that they are mutually involved and that both are of doubtful coherence. After some of the connexions between Kohlberg's value-theory and his prescriptions for education are noted, an attempt is made to house the facts of development within an explanation embodying a contrasting theory of value. It is suggested that the alternative value-theory offered, and the concomitant explanation of moral development, are both truer to our experience of moral action and moral learning. The importantly different implications of the alternative explanation for education are then sketched. In conclusion, a plea is made for a re-opening of the competition between alternative explanations of moral development. It is suggested that without such critical inquiry, moral education programmes deriving from Kohlberg's work lack theoretical justification.</p>