In a survey, participants were asked whether buying a stolen television is morally right. More than 80 percent of the respondents said that it is morally wrong. However, 50 percent of the respondents admitted that they would buy the television if guaranteed that they would not be caught. In the context of the scenario, which of the following statements would most likely serve as a criticism for Lawrence Kohlberg's theory on moral development?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Kohlberg's theory suggests that moral reasoning progresses through stages, with higher stages reflecting more abstract principles of justice and rights. The scenario indicates a discrepancy between moral reasoning (knowing it's wrong to buy stolen goods) and behavior (willingness to buy if not caught), suggesting that moral reasoning might not always translate into moral behavior, thus serving as a criticism of Kohlberg's emphasis on the stages of moral reasoning.

In a Survey, Participants Were Asked Whether Buying a Stolen