When people are confronted with the sad reality of euthanasia, they respond and deal with the situation in many different ways, depending on whether they are the patient, a family member or the person carrying out the act. Adopting Lawrence Kohlberg’s Development Theory to the specific situation will explain the individual’s reaction. An individual, who is on the Pre-conventional Morality level or level 1, would most likely not approve of or commit passive euthanasia. This is evident as Kohlberg states that in this level, individuals are afraid of being punished for going against the law. Likewise, a being on the Conventional Morality level or level 2 in the stages of 3 and 4, would not believe and approve of euthanasia as the person is on the level of wanting to seek approval of others. They are also becoming aware of the rules of society and obeying them in order to uphold the law and avoid guilt. This will lead them to avoid going against the law and committing passive euthanasia as it is against the opinions of the law and they trust if it’s legal, it’s right, if it’s illegal, it’s wrong. Despite levels 1 and 2 of Lawrence Kohlberg’s Development Theory having little relevance to passive euthanasia, level 3, also known as the Post-conventional Morality stage is most definitely applicable to it. Like the Pre-conventional Morality stage and Conventional Morality stage, the Post-conventional Morality stage consists of 2 stages – stages 5 and 6. In stage 5 the human being becomes aware that the rules and laws set out exist for the good of the greatest number of citizens, also known as Utilitarianism. However, frequently the laws will work against the forming the ideals of the individual. This stage is evident in the Terri Schiavo case as Michael Schiavo, Terri’s husband was unable to legally carry out passive euthanasia, despite evidence which indicated his wife was in a vegetative state and suffering and he truly believed it was the best option for her. Moreover, when the person decides to form their own set of moral guidelines and begin to perform them, even if they are not based on the law, they start to fit into stage 6 of the Post-conventional Morality level. It is at this stage they begin to do what they believe is right, even if it involves going against the law and society and the process of having to pay harsh consequences. (Saul McLeod, 2011) Kohlberg’s Moral Development theory clearly outlines a person’s moral reasoning and ethical behaviour.
|