Question

Do you agree with each of Kohlber's stages of moral development and why or why not? Should motivation and moral reasoning be considered in the sentencing process such that crimes motivated by higher-level moral interest are subject to lesser types or degrees of punishment? If so, who determines what moral interests justify more lenient treatment?

Answer 1

Kohlberg's moral development stages are not the results of the process of socialization, but evolves as individuals ability to critical thinking increase. Most of the individuals this ability of moral thinking stops at stage 4 , where the individual is more concerned about maintaining harmony in the society than giving importance to life and values. Thus, Kohlberg's moral reasoning is successful in defining the human's ability to moral reasoning.

Any offence should be definitely punished because some person at the other side had to bear some form of pain and suffering due to the criminal act, hence, justice should be given and deterrence ensures that such actions are not repeated again. But, before sentencing it is important to know the reasons that motivated such incidents, and the moral reasoning behind those incidents, so that necessary steps can be taken to prevent such incidents in the future by the administration and the society. Lenient treatment is not a solution to crimes that have occured due to dilemmas, but, it's the responsibility of society to take appropriate measures so that such dilemmas do not occur.