Stages of Moral Maturity

1. Stages of Moral Maturity http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CUGTIWCFyo

2. Pre-Conventional Stage • Moral maturity is characterized by selfishness • Little else is considered in making a choice that what can be gained • For example: manipulative behavior on the part of children

3. Conventional Stage • Morality begins with a kind of “good boy – good girl” mentality • The individual begins to socialize and realize that the needs and responsibilities of others must sometimes supersede his or her own

4. Conventional Stage • Fitting in as part of a social group often requires compromises that need to be learned • There is still a selfish tone in the decision making process as the person does not want to loose their position in the group, and will make the appropriate sacrifices to maintain status or advance • Eventually, usually in young adulthood, but not always, an understanding of and respect for universal social laws and rules take hold and becomes a motivating force behind decisions

5. Post Conventional Stage

6. Post Conventional Stage • Sees principle behind and beyond written or unwritten social laws • Understands that common wisdom and traditional behavior do not always lead to justice or the fulfillment of the needs and responsibilities of self and others • The person is capable of choosing against the tide and even outside the law (civil rights activist, conscientious objectors)

7. Post Conventional Stage • Instances of individuals whose behavior indicates a level of principle and universal empathy that transcends any consideration of social convention. (heroes, icons, saints). • These are rare individuals

8. Sources of Ethical Learning • Life Experiences • Experiences of Others

9. Life Experiences • The primary source of learning • Begins with occurrences that are observed and felt and lived • The mind takes note, and become part of the process of understanding

10. Life Experiences • Further similar experiences will lead to more detailed identification and understanding, sharper focus • Experiences may lead to minor or major revisions in our thinking • Leads to the establishment of rules and principles

11. Experiences of Others • Each time we read a book, the paper, take in a documentary we take advantage of other’s experiences • Collection of experiences of society often leads to collections of conclusions. Rules and laws, meant to govern behavior for the common good • These lead to acceptance of ethical principles that become articulated in the culture (the Bill of Rights, the Ten Commandments)