The context of Hohlberg-prompted interest in moral development stage models is described. Some of Piaget's scattered comments about the use of stage models in studying and understanding moral development are presented and their implications exposed. While admitting the necessity and utility of such heuristic models, Piaget frequently urges caution…

The paper presents key features of Jean Piaget's theory of moral development, compares Piaget's theory with Lawrence Kohlberg's theory of moral development and Sidney Simon's theory of values clarification, and evaluates the values clarification movement in light of Piaget's theoretical and practical conclusions. The focus is twofold: first, on…