Kohlberg, "Ethical Decision-making by Developmental Stages"
Notable because it accords with research on moral development
SOURCE FOR THE PROCEDURE
Kohlberg, Lawrence. The Meaning and Measurement of Moral Development. Cambridge: Oelgeschlager, Gunn and Hain, 1981.
If Kohlberg had developed a specific ethical decision-making procedure,
it would resemble the one shown below.
THE PROCEDURE ITSELF
- Make the choice that shows the greatest respect for the rights and dignity of all people (stage 6).
- If you are developmentally unable to do that, make the choice that is most responsive to the needs of others within your society (stage 5).
- If you are developmentally unable to do that, make the choice that best follows the rules and regulations of your society (stage 4).
- If you are developmentally unable to do that, make the choice that best conforms to what others expect of you (stage 3).
- If you are developmentally unable to do that, make the choice that best promotes your own self-interest (stage 2).
- If you are developmentally unable to do that, make the choice that is most obedient to those in authority (stage 1).
WALT'S CHECKLIST
The same checklist was applied to all procedures.
- This method is most useful when the DECISION-MAKER ...
- has high initial sensitivity to relevant ethical "features"
- is skilled in the application of general ethical principles to specific cases
- This method is most useful in a SITUATION ...
- that will change little over time
- where the decision-maker is also a stakeholder
- This method is most useful when STAKEHOLDERS ...
