Consider the Following Moral Dilemma: "Henry Borrows a Wood Knife

Essay

Consider the following moral dilemma: "Henry borrows a wood knife from his friend Gerry so that he can carve a miniature boat from a piece of wood. Henry promises that he will return the knife if Gerry wants it back. Several days later, Gerry asks Henry to return the knife because Gerry wants to use the knife to inflict damage on school property. Henry returns the knife to Gerry, since he did promise to return it if Gerry asked. Should Henry have returned the knife to Gerry? Was it right or wrong? Why?" Describe how a person at each of Kohlberg's three levels of moral reasoning (i.e., preconventional, conventional, and postconventional) would respond to the dilemma. Be sure to describe the reasoning characteristic of each of Kohlberg's three levels.