Insights on Kohlberg's Moral Development, Moral Education Book

     Kohlberg Light

      Kohlberg's lengthy text Moral development, moral education, and Kohlberg: Basic issues in philosophy,psychology,religion, and education (1980). ed. Brenda Munsey. Is not for the faint of heart. This book is a series of essays written about Koghlberg's theory in regards to different fields of study.
     While my full intention was to read this tome and report on the individual sections of it for this blog and
class assignment I soon found that I had bitten off a bit more than I could chew. This book is deep discussion of his theory and an argument of,  or support of different parts of it.
     Initially I welcomed the challenge of really becoming adept at recognizing his theory in different fields. I felt it would a good overall application and that I would be able to recognize and see it in different areas. What actually happened was such a convolution of his theories in application that I have to confess I feel more confused now then when I started.
     While some sections were interesting :"Multidisciplinary Interest in Moral Development and Moral Education." (Brend Munsey), others such as; "Cognitive-Development Theory of Moral Development:Metaethical Issues," (Brenda Munsey) were far beyond my basic skill level so far.
     Kohlberg contributed as well and wrote an essay,"Stages of Moral Development as a Basis for Moral Education." In his essay he discusses his six stages of moral development and feels that justice is one of the most important moral principles for this development. He feels that children operate at different levels in regards to this principle. However; according to Kohlberg (1971), "{p}sychologically, both welfare concerns (role-taking,empathy, or sympathy) and justice concerns are present at the birth of morality and at every succeeding stage." He claims that all children at all stages of development look towards the implication of and concern for justice.
     He goes on to state that while there are many values and virtues (a mixed -bag so to speak), there are only a few that children praise or blame. He feels that this evaluation of morals and virtues in necessary to growth as moral individuals. He feels that just because and adult states that they believe in honesty, it doesn't necessarily make them an honest person. They may in fact be liar. It goes beyond just a belief in a virtue. They must also be practiced.