According to Kohlberg, what is the basis of "moral development"?

Kohlberg's theory of moral development posits that moral reasoning develops through a series of stages that individuals progress through as they mature. These stages reflect increasingly complex levels of reasoning regarding right and wrong, beginning with a focus on obedience to authority and moving toward more abstract moral principles that emphasize justice and individual rights.

The first stages are primarily concerned with direct consequences and social norms, while higher stages involve critical thinking about ethical principles and the reasoning behind moral judgments. This progression indicates that moral understanding is not simply a matter of reaching a specific age or level of maturity, nor is it solely dependent on the development of cognitive abilities without a moral context. Emotional intelligence and social skills may play a role in empathy and moral decision-making but are not the foundational framework for Kohlberg’s theory.

Thus, the correct answer is that moral development is characterized by stages of moral reasoning that evolve from a basic concern for obedience to a nuanced understanding of personal moral principles. This formulation captures the essence of Kohlberg's theory, highlighting the cognitive development aspect intertwined with moral reasoning, as individuals grapple with moral dilemmas and expand their understanding of justice and ethics.