What are the criticisms of Lawrence Kohlberg's theory of moral development?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

One of the criticisms of Lawrence Kohlberg's theory of moral development centers on the idea that moral thoughts don't always predict moral behavior. The criticism is that Kohlberg's theory places too much emphasis on moral thinking and not enough on moral behavior. Moral reasons sometimes can be a shelter for immoral behavior. Bank embezzlers and U.S. presidents endorse the loftiest of moral virtues, but their own behavior can prove to be immoral. No one wants a nation of stage-6 Kohlberg thinkers who know what is right yet do what is wrong. Another line of criticism is that Kohlberg's theory is too individualistic. Carol Gilligan (1982, 1998) distinguishes between the justice perspective and the care perspective. Kohlberg's is a justice perspective that focuses on the rights of the individual, who stands alone and makes moral decisions. The care perspective views people in terms of their connectedness. Emphasis is placed on relationships and concern for others. According to Gilligan, Kohlberg greatly underplayed the care perspective-possibly because he was a male, most of his research was on males, and he lived in a male-dominant society.
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