Modes of Moral Thought

Abstract

This paper reviews current theories of moral development and points out a number of common aspects which appear to lack full empirical support. An alternative theory of moral development, proposed by Norman Williams, is tested here and its main conclusions receive tentative support. These are that moral development is cumulative rather than linear in nature and that it takes place within four separate modes ‐‐ expedient, altruistic, intuitive and heteronomous ‐‐ in parallel.

It is suggested that this classification scheme provides a valuable research tool for investigating the relationship between moral thought and variables such as age, sex, intelligence and social class, but that confirmation of its basic hypotheses is essential before further research can be undertaken.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

John Steward

John Steward is a trainee clinical psychologist at the Department of Psychiatry, Stopford Building, Oxford Road, Manchester.