High School

Which statement constitutes conventional moral reasoning?

A. "I shouldn't do that because it is my responsibility to fulfill my duties."
B. "I shouldn't do that because I will get caught and I don't want to be punished."
C. "I shouldn't do that because it is not in the best interest of society."
D. "I shouldn't do that because it won't do me much good."

Answer :

Final answer:

The statement that most reflects conventional moral reasoning is "I shouldn't do that because it is not in the best interest of society," as it prioritizes societal well-being over individual interest. Conventional reasoning emphasizes adherence to social norms and responsibilities. This type of reasoning typically arises in late childhood or early adolescence.


Explanation:

Understanding Conventional Moral Reasoning


To determine which statement embodies conventional moral reasoning, we need to analyze the principles described in morality development as outlined by Lawrence Kohlberg. According to his stages, conventional morality is characterized by a concern for maintaining the social order and adhering to rules and expectations that society holds.


Among the given statements:



  1. "I shouldn't do that because it is my responsibility to fulfill my duties." – This reflects a duty-based moral reasoning, leaning towards deontological ethics.

  2. "I shouldn't do that because I will get caught and I don't want to be punished." – This represents a pre-conventional level of reasoning where decisions are based on avoiding punishment.

  3. "I shouldn't do that because it is not in the best interest of society." – This is aligned with conventional moral reasoning; it considers societal norms and the impact of the action on public well-being.

  4. "I shouldn't do that because it won't do me much good." – This refers to a self-interested rationale, akin to pre-conventional reasoning.


Hence, the statement "I shouldn't do that because it is not in the best interest of society." exemplifies conventional moral reasoning, as it prioritizes the welfare of society over individual concerns and reflects the social contract orientation where actions are evaluated based on their societal implications.


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