Question

Dr. Wilmark prescribes extra morphine for her terminally ill patients, and she knows that they may use it to end their lives. This is in violation of federal law. She believes it is morally wrong to cause unnecessary human suffering, and if necessary, she is willing to serve time in jail rather than watch others suffer needlessly. Which type of moral reasoning does this example illustrate?

Select one:

a. preconventional

b. conventional

c. postconventional

d. authoritarian

Answer 1

Answer: B. Post conventional

Explanation:

Kohlberg proposed a moral developmental theory with the inspiration of Jean Piaget's moral developmental theory. In his moral theory, Kohl berg explained that in what way people will develop their moral values. He divided moral stages of people into 3 stages. Those are Preconventional, Conventional and Post conventional stages.

Preconventional Stage: Mostly children will be in this stage. An action which gives them rewards is morally good action. An action which gives them punishment is morally wrong action.

Conventional Stage: An action which is supported by constitution, society, culture,etc. is morally good action. An action which is not supported by constitution, society, culture,etc, is morally wrong action.

Postconventional Stage: An action which seems like good action to our conscience is morally good action. An action which seems like bad action to our conscience is morally bad action. These people don't care about rewards, punishments, constitution, cultural rules,etc. They only consider their conscience.

In the above given case, Dr.Wilmark prescribed extra morphine for her terminally ill patients. She just followed his conscience. He didn't care federal laws, punishments,etc. That's why above given example illustrates post conventional moral reasoning.