Gilligan's Theory and Kohlberg's Theory of Moral Development Rejuvenated

• In Event: Fairmont Roundtable Session Six
  In Roundtable Session: Questions of Morality and Justice in Curriculum (Table 2)

Abstract

This paper updates, revises, and rejuvenates Lawrence Kohlberg’s theory of moral development and moral education by synthesizing his ideas with those of Carol Gilligan’s theory of the ethic of care and compassion as the basis for morality. Additionally, it shifts the foundation of this reconceptualized theory away from scientifically disproven Piagetian stage theory onto a valid Vygotskian Sociocultural theoretical basis. This theoretical updating, reconceptualization and rejuvenation is undertaken for the express purpose of helping all teachers and all students see the relevance of Kohlberg’s theory and Gilligan’s theory, especially the third levels of both theories, to their own evolving moral identities (Blasi, 2004) in the 21st Century.

Authors

• Peter Matthiew Meyerson, University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh
  Presenting Author

• Katherine Short-Meyerson, University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh
  Non-Presenting Author