Question

During the Vietnam War, Michael moved from the United States to Canada to avoid the draft. He didn't want to go to war because he was afraid he might be killed or seriously injured. Michael's reasons for not going to war reflect Kohlberg's _____ moral reasoning.

Answer 1

Answer:

Preconventional.

Explanation:

Lawrence Kohlberg (1927-1987) was an American psychologist more renowned by his theory of the stages of moral development. In this theory, Kohlberg delineates the stages of moral development that we go through as we grow up, and on each stage our understanding and reasoning of moral dilemmas grow increasingly more sophisticated.

In Michael's case, moving to Canada to avoid the draft was not out of opposition to the war on moral grounds (which would demonstrate a postconventional reasoning) or out of some sense of that it was the best for society (which would demonstrate a conventional reasoning). Him not wanting to get injured or killed reflects a preconventional moral reasoning, as his justification to avoid the draft demonstrates a merely instrumental reasoning (he just wants what's best for him), which is typical of a preconventional level.