Read the following scenario and answer the question that follows. After watching the morning news, roommates Kelly and Rob argued about whether or not a man on trial should have been sentenced to prison for robbing goods and giving to those on welfare. Rob argued that the man should not have been convicted because he broke the law for a good cause while Kelly argued that the man should be convicted because it is against the law to steal so the man's behavior was wrong. Based on Lawrence Kohlberg's theory of moral reasoning which of the following statements would Kohlberg agree with?
Answer
A
Kelly is at a higher level of moral reasoning than Rob.
B
Rob is at a higher level of moral reasoning than Kelly.
C
Rob and Kelly are at the same level of moral reasoning.
D
Rob has more knowledge than Kelly concerning criminal behavior.
Explanation
Kohlberg’s theory distinguishes reasoning based mainly on obeying laws from reasoning based on broader ethical principles. Kelly says the man’s behavior was wrong because stealing is against the law, while Rob considers the good cause behind breaking the law. Rob therefore shows a higher level of moral reasoning than Kelly, so the best answer is “Rob is at a higher level of moral reasoning than Kelly.”
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