Question

do you think kohlberg was right to not care whether someone answered yes or no to the dilemma and instead focus only on the reason behind their answer? why or why not?

Explanation:

Analyze Kohlberg's methodology

Kohlberg's theory of moral development focuses on the cognitive reasoning behind moral decisions rather than the specific choice made. Different stages of moral reasoning can lead to the same action (e.g., choosing "yes" or "no" to stealing the drug in the Heinz dilemma), but the underlying justification reveals the individual's level of moral maturity.

Evaluate the focus on reasoning over action

Focusing on the "why" is scientifically robust because moral behavior is highly situational, whereas cognitive structures of moral reasoning are more stable and developmental. By analyzing the justification, Kohlberg could categorize responses into preconventional, conventional, or postconventional stages based on whether the reasoning relied on self-interest, social conformity, or universal ethical principles.

Answer:

Yes, Kohlberg was correct to focus on the reasoning behind the answer rather than the choice itself.

In moral development, the action chosen (e.g., "yes, steal the drug" or "no, do not steal") does not inherently reflect a person's moral maturity, as the same action can be justified using completely different levels of reasoning. For example, one person might say "yes" to avoid being blamed (preconventional), while another says "yes" because human life is inherently more valuable than property laws (postconventional). By analyzing the underlying cognitive justification, Kohlberg could accurately identify the structural stage of moral development rather than superficial behavioral choices.