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    Engineering Ethics - Gilliganâ - S Theory

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    Louisse Ceña
    Carol Gilligan criticized Lawrence Kohlberg's theory of moral development, arguing that it was biased because it was based primarily on studies of white males. Gilligan proposed an alternative theory with three similar stages of moral reasoning - pre-conventional, conventional, and post-conventional - but contended the stages involved different priorities for males versus females. Specifically, Gilligan believed females tend to emphasize caring for relationships and avoiding harm (care-based morality), while males focus more on fairness and individual rights (justice-based morality). Gilligan provided an example using moles and a porcupine to illustrate the different perspectives involved in care-based versus justice-based moral reasoning.

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    Engineering Ethics - Gilliganâ - S Theory

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    Louisse Ceña
    51 views5 pages
    Carol Gilligan criticized Lawrence Kohlberg's theory of moral development, arguing that it was biased because it was based primarily on studies of white males. Gilligan proposed an alternative theory with three similar stages of moral reasoning - pre-conventional, conventional, and post-conventional - but contended the stages involved different priorities for males versus females. Specifically, Gilligan believed females tend to emphasize caring for relationships and avoiding harm (care-based morality), while males focus more on fairness and individual rights (justice-based morality). Gilligan provided an example using moles and a porcupine to illustrate the different perspectives involved in care-based versus justice-based moral reasoning.

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    Engineering Ethics - Gilliganâ__s Theory

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    Carol Gilligan criticized Lawrence Kohlberg's theory of moral development, arguing that it was biased because it was based primarily on studies of white males. Gilligan proposed an alternative theory with three similar stages of moral reasoning - pre-conventional, conventional, and post-conventional - but contended the stages involved different priorities for males versus females. Specifically, Gilligan believed females tend to emphasize caring for relationships and avoiding harm (care-based morality), while males focus more on fairness and individual rights (justice-based morality). Gilligan provided an example using moles and a porcupine to illustrate the different perspectives involved in care-based versus justice-based moral reasoning.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    51 views5 pages

    Engineering Ethics - Gilliganâ - S Theory

    Uploaded by

    Louisse Ceña
    Carol Gilligan criticized Lawrence Kohlberg's theory of moral development, arguing that it was biased because it was based primarily on studies of white males. Gilligan proposed an alternative theory with three similar stages of moral reasoning - pre-conventional, conventional, and post-conventional - but contended the stages involved different priorities for males versus females. Specifically, Gilligan believed females tend to emphasize caring for relationships and avoiding harm (care-based morality), while males focus more on fairness and individual rights (justice-based morality). Gilligan provided an example using moles and a porcupine to illustrate the different perspectives involved in care-based versus justice-based moral reasoning.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    of 5

    Engineering Ethics - Gilligan’s Theory

    This is an advancement of Kohlberg’s theory. It had been observed that Kohlberg’s theory was
    proposed based on the moral thinking of privileged white men and boys. Hence this theory was
    popularized by taking both male and female thinking capabilities into account.
    Carol Gilligan, a psychological theorist was born on Nov 28, 1936 in the New York city. She
    pursued her doctorate degree in Social Psychology from the Harvard University. Gilligan was a
    research assistant for Lawrence Kohlberg, but she eventually became independent and criticized
    some of his theories.

    Gilligan’s Theory

    Carol Gilligan opines that Kohlberg’s theories are biased upon the male thinking process.
    According to Gilligan, Kohlberg seemed to have studied only privileged men and boys. She
    believed that women face a lot of psychological challenges and they are not moral widgets. The
    women’s point of view on moral development involves caring which shows its effect on human
    relationships.
    Hence she proposed a theory which has the same three stages of Kohlberg but with different
    stages of moral development. Let us understand the stages in detail.

    Though the names of the stages are the same, the stages differ in this method. The moral
    development in Gilligan’s theory are based on pro-social behaviors such as Altruism, caring and
    helping and the traits such as honesty, fairness and respect.
    Pre-conventional Level

    A person in this stage cares for oneself to ensure survival.

    Though the person’s attitude is selfish, this is the transition phase, where the
    person finds
    the connection between oneself and others.

    Conventional Level

    In this stage, the person feels responsible and shows care towards other people.
    Carol Gilligan believes that this moral thinking can be identified in the role of a mother and
    a wife. This sometimes leads to the ignorance of the self.

    Post-conventional Level

    This is the stage, where the principle of care for self as well as others, is accepted.
    However, a section of people may never reach this level.
    According to the Carol Gilligan’s theory of moral development, changes occur due to the change of
    self rather than the critical thinking. It was stated that the post-conventional level of Kohlberg is
    not attained by women. But Carol Gilligan researched and found that the post-conventional level of
    thinking is not being easy for women to go through because they care for the relationships.

    Levels of Thinking
    Carol Gilligan states that the post-conventional level of moral thinking can be dealt based on the
    two types of thinking. Gilligan’s theory is based on the two main ideas, the care-based morality
    (usually found in women) and the justice-based morality (usually found in men).

    Care-based Morality
    Care-based morality is the kind of thinking found in women. This is based on the following
    principles.

    More emphasis is given to inter-connected relationships and universality.


    Acting justly focuses on avoidance of violence.
    Women with this are usually interested in helping others.
    More common in girls because of their connections to their mothers.
    Because girls remain connected to their mothers, they are less inclined to worry
    about
    issues of fairness.

    Justice-based Morality

    Justice-based morality is the kind of thinking found in men. This is based on the following
    principles.

    They view the world as being composed of autonomous individuals who interact with one
    another.
    Acting justly means avoiding inequality.

    Individuals with this are usually interested in protecting individuality.


    Thought to be more common among boys because of their need to differentiate between
    themselves and their mothers.

    Because they are separated from their mothers, boys become more concerned with the
    concept of inequality.
    The Carol Gilligan’s theory can be better understood if explained with an example.

    Example of Gilligan’s Theory

    In order to understand Gilligan’s theory, a popular example is usually considered. A group of moles
    give shelter to a porcupine. But they are being continuously stabbed by the porcupine’s quills. Now,
    what should they do?
    The Pre-conventional level of thinking states that to think for the good of oneself, either the moles
    or the porcupine only can live there. The other has to leave the place.
    According to the Conventional level of thinking, which brings a transition, from self to the good of
    others and which might even lead to sacrifice, either the moles or the porcupine has to sacrifice
    and again this leads to a stage where only moles or the porcupine can live in the burrow.
    According to the Post-conventional level of thinking, which states that the good of both the parties
    has to be considered, both the moles and the porcupine come to an agreement that both will have
    separate places in the same burrow, where they limit to behave themselves and will not cause any
    trouble to other. This helps both of them to live in the same place with peace.

    The researchers found that the solution to this scenario is different with different individuals; gender
    also plays an important role. The thinkers were observed viewing the problem in two different
    perspectives, the care-based and the justice-based.
    In a Justice-based perspective, the solution to the problem is viewed as a conflict between two
    individual groups. Only one of them can have the property. Either moles or the porcupine will get
    the place in the burrow. Hence the solution to the dilemma, is not a resolution of the conflict, it is a
    verdict.
    In a Care-based perspective, the approach differs. The problem is viewed as a difficult situation
    faced by both the parties together, rather than a fight between both of them. Hence the solution is
    sought in a way around the problem or to remove the problem completely. The solution may sound
    compromising but not damaging. The relationship will still be the same, after the resolution.

    Researchers found that Justice-based perspective is pre-dominant among males while Care-based
    prospective is among females.

    Consensus and Controversy

    The moral judgment may lead to conflicts if they are not delivered properly without hurting the
    feelings of the persons involved. There are two stages after the judgement. The stages are
    described below −

    Consensus

    This is that state where people come into agreement with the judgement given by getting convinced
    with the moral reasons. This will leave the persons with a feel that justice has been done, the
    verdict may favor any party.

    Controversy

    This is that state where the persons involved in an issue are not satisfied by the verdict and might
    feel that it was decided on partial interests. This will leave the people with a sense of dissatisfaction
    that justice was not done, which might lead to another conflict.

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