Kohlberg's first method of moral education was to examine the lives of moral exemplars who practiced principled morals such as Martin Luther King, Jr., Socrates, and Abraham Lincoln. He believed that moral exemplars' words and deeds increased the moral reasoning of those who watched and listened to them. Kohlberg never tested to see if examining the lives of moral exemplars did in fact increase moral reasoning. Recent research in moral psychology has brought back the value of witnessing moral exemplars in action or learning about their stories.Algoe, S. B., & Haidt, J. (2009). Witnessing excellence in action: The 'other-praising' emotions of elevation, gratitude, and admiration. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 4(2),105–127. doi:10.1080/17439760802650519 Witnessing the virtuous acts of moral exemplars may not increase moral reasoning, but it has been shown to elicit an emotion known as moral elevation that can increase an individual's desire to be a better person and even has the potential to increase prosocial and moral behavior.Aquino, K., McFerran, B., & Laven, M. (2011). Moral identity and the experience of moral elevation in response to acts of uncommon goodness. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 100(4), 703–718. doi:10.1037/a0022540Schnall, S., Roper, J., & Fessler, D. M. (2010). Elevation leads to altruistic behavior. Psychological Science, 21(3), 315–320. doi:10.1177/0956797609359882Silvers, J. A., & Haidt, J. (2008). Moral elevation can induce nursing. Emotion, 8(2), 291–295. doi:10.1037/1528-3542.8.2.291 Although Kohlberg's hypothesis that moral exemplars could increase moral reasoning might be unfounded, his understanding that moral exemplars have an important place in moral education has growing support.
kohlberg's first method of moral education was to examine the lives of moral exemplars who practiced principled morals such as martin luther king jr socrates and abraham lincoln he believed that moral exemplars' words and deeds increased the moral reasoning of those who watched and listened to them kohlberg never tested to see if examining the lives of moral exemplars did in fact increase moral reasoning recent research in moral psychology has brought back the value of witnessing moral exemplars in action or learning about their storiesalgoe s b & haidt j (2009) witnessing excellence in action the 'other-praising' emotions of elevation gratitude and admiration the journal of positive psychology 4(2)105–127 doi101080/17439760802650519 witnessing the virtuous acts of moral exemplars may not increase moral reasoning but it has been shown to elicit an emotion known as moral elevation that can increase an individual's desire to be a better person and even has the potential to increase prosocial and moral behavioraquino k mcferran b & laven m (2011) moral identity and the experience of moral elevation in response to acts of uncommon goodness journal of personality and social psychology 100(4) 703–718 doi101037/a0022540schnall s roper j & fessler d m (2010) elevation leads to altruistic behavior psychological science 21(3) 315–320 doi101177/0956797609359882silvers j a & haidt j (2008) moral elevation can induce nursing emotion 8(2) 291–295 doi101037/1528-354282291 although kohlberg's hypothesis that moral exemplars could increase moral reasoning might be unfounded his understanding that moral exemplars have an important place in moral education has growing support