In this paper, I examine why Kantian ethics has had such a hard time of it. I look at readings of Kant's moral theory that have had great force in the 20th century and conclude that these have much to do with an ensuing confusion, which has led to charges of rigidity, formality and severity. Then I demonstrate that when we make moral judgements we…

An overview of Kohlberg's theory of moral development is presented; three interviews regarding the theory are reported, and the author's own moral development is compared to the model; finally, a critique of the theory is addressed along with recommendations for future enhancement. Lawrence Kohlberg's model of moral development, also referred to…

Nineteen empirical sources are reviewed with the purpose of evaluating the potential of the relationship between level of moral development and appreciation of aggressive humor for future inquiry. Sixteen articles generated from the superiority theory of humor are categorized as measuring appreciation of aggressive humor (and drama) in relation to…

This study was designed to determine why children at the transitional stage of operational development base their moral judgments on the objective consequences of another's act rather than on the other's intentions. The results confirmed the existence of a production deficiency as opposed to a mediational deficiency. (JMB)

Article focused its concern on general trends in adolescent moral growth. (Author/RK)

John Dewey's philosophy clarifies the relationship between communication and the emergence of character. His moral theory recommends a conception of "moral selfhood" emphasizing three attributes: freedom, social sensitivity, and the growth of mind. Communication is the principle instrument through which these characteristics can be…

Suggests that Piaget's paradigm for testing young children's moral evaluations is inappropriate for assessing the use of intention cues in evaluation behavior. A review of research deemed valid for this purpose suggests that children do evaluate on the basis of intentions and ignore consequence information when accidental and intentional acts are…

Previous findings that children's moral judgments are affected by the order in which a protagonist's intentions and consequences occur in a single story were studied in a paired-story format with 96 children from 5 to 8 years of age. (Author/JMB)

A total of 72 elementary school students responded to six moral judgment story pairs which corresponded to all the possible combinations of intentionality (intentional/unintentional) and type of damage (personal injury/property damage). (Author/JMB)

Comment refers to AA 515 463. (CB)

Points of view regarding motivation and ethics are presented. These issues are specifically applied to the adolescent, with the conclusion that one must understand oneself before s/he can search for a system of ethics. (Author/GK)

It is argued that it would be more fruitful for Kohlberg and others to avoid applying his developmentalist position to such problems as utilitarian/formalist supremacy or the search for a 'best' morality. Instead, emphasis could be placed on explicating the fundamental requirements of a nonrelativistic, nonegotistic morality. (Author/SJL)

This article reviews Kohlberg's references to the naturalistic fallacy; shows what he takes it to be; demonstrates how Kohlberg believes he uses it; and discusses whether his interpretation is the same as that of G.E. Moore. (MM)

Discusses the personal and public aspects of moral judgment, arguing that the admission and ownership of moral judgment is the assertion of one's moral agency and the exercise of one's right to make moral judgments. Considers subjective factors necessary in determining the soundness of moral judgments. (DMM)