Question

Analyze the controversy over whether women and men differ in their ethical thinking. Consider virtues of caring and compromise, principles and consequences, in light of Kohlberg and Gilligan's example of kids not being able to pay for a drug to save parent’s life, and MRI scans of brain regions in men and women.

Answer 1

Lawrence Kohlberg created a model of moral development, he develop six moral developmental stages. Kohlberg formulated his work based on his case analysis. Kohlberg gave his subjects abstract moral dilemmas, which the subject had to answer. Kohlberg argued that woman got stuck at the stage 3 and were not able to rise beyond that. He thought that it is very important for women to conform to social standards and be liked by others.

Gilligan, however criticized kohlberg's view of women's moral deleopment. According to her, women develop morality different from men. She thought that women identified themselves through their relationships with others and through care for other people, whereas men were more disconnected from their surroundings. Gillian thought that for some people, justice equality etc were important and for others, care and compassion was important. Her research has shown that women are more concerned with keeping heathy relationships with others, compared to men. Gillian theory of ethic of care has three levels. First is concerned for individual self; second, caring for others and third is caring for ones self as well as others.