16 Apr 2010
Harvard's Lawrence Kohlberg proposed a model suggesting that an individual progresses through six stages of increasing depth of reasoning when contemplating best ethical practices.
It is interesting to contemplate the evolution ... or not ... of the BKWSU by this model and where we as individuals are now. The BKWSU very obviously operates at Stages 1 to 4. It may be developing stage 5 now. Stage 6 would seem "contrary to Shrimat".
The other element to look at would be the BKWSU often lawless relationship with the outside world, e.g. its flaunting of financial responsibilities (tax), attempts to circumvent immigration laws, its coveting of other family's property and its general attitude to public honesty where its leaders seems to behaves in an often outlaw or amoral fashion.
It is interesting to contemplate the evolution ... or not ... of the BKWSU by this model and where we as individuals are now. The BKWSU very obviously operates at Stages 1 to 4. It may be developing stage 5 now. Stage 6 would seem "contrary to Shrimat".
The other element to look at would be the BKWSU often lawless relationship with the outside world, e.g. its flaunting of financial responsibilities (tax), attempts to circumvent immigration laws, its coveting of other family's property and its general attitude to public honesty where its leaders seems to behaves in an often outlaw or amoral fashion.
Lawrence Kohlberg's Six Stages of Moral Reasoning (link)
Stage 1:Punishment-avoidance and obedience — Individuals make moral decisions on the basis of what is best for themselves, without regard for the needs or feeling of others. They obey rules only if established by more powerful individuals; they disobey when they can do so without getting caught.
Stage 2:Exchange of favors — Individuals begin to recognize that others also have needs. They may attempt to satisfy the needs of others if their own needs are also met in the process. They continue to define right and wrong primarily in terms of consequences to themselves.
Stage 3:Good boy/good girl — Individuals make moral decisions on the basis of what actions will please others, especially authority figures. They are concerned about maintaining interpersonal relationships through sharing, trust, and loyalty. They now consider someone's intentions in determining innocence or guilt.
Stage 4:Law and order — Individuals look to society as a whole for guidelines concerning what is right or wrong. They perceive rules to be inflexible and believe that it is their "duty" to obey them.
Stage 5:Social Contract — Individuals recognize that rules represent an agreement among many people about appropriate behavior. They recognize that rules are flexible and can be changed if they no longer meet society's needs.
Stage 6:Universal Ethical Principle — Individuals adhere to a small number of abstract, universal principles that transcend specific, concrete rules. They answer to an inner conscience and may break rules that violate their own ethical principles.