Lawrence Kohlberg, an American psychologist, is renowned for his theory of moral development. Inspired by Jean Piaget, Kohlberg proposed six sequential stages grouped into three levels: pre-conventional, conventional, and post-conventional. These stages represent varying levels of moral reasoning, from basic self-interest to principled moral reasoning based on universal ethical principles. Kohlberg believed that individuals progress through these stages in a fixed sequence, with moral development influenced by cognitive, social, and cultural factors. Despite criticism, Kohlberg’s theory has significantly shaped our understanding of moral development and continues to be influential in fields such as psychology, education, and ethics, offering valuable insights into how individuals navigate moral dilemmas and make ethical decisions throughout their lives.

Lawrence Kohlberg Quotes

01. “Right action tends to be defined in terms of general individual rights and standards that have been critically examined and agreed upon by the whole society.”
– Lawrence Kohlberg

02. “The individual makes a clear effort to define moral values and principles that have validity and application apart from the authority of the groups of persons holding them and apart from the individual’s own identification with the group.”
– Lawrence Kohlberg

03. “At this level, the individual perceives the maintenance of the expectations of his family, group, or nation as valuable in its own right, regardless of immediate and obvious consequences.”
– Lawrence Kohlberg