Adult moral reasoning

For an intellectual Fowler’s framework could be the next “big thing” in terms of serious theoretical positions on the formation of morality and moral reasoning and the substance of faith. In a human perspective, Fowler successfully attempted to provide a picture that illustrates and guides both the individual being studied and the observer/scientist via the stages (Berger, 1994).

Though these stages are not as explicitly applicable to all persons, like other psychologists such as Erikson and Maslow, Fowler’s important contribution apparently is more than expansion of Kohlberg or Piaget. His own personal journey, lengthy and in-depth research has given him a solid premise to work on (Berger, 1994).

My personal journey may probably be described closely in the perspective which is described by Fowler. I don’t have much experience and enough intellectual prowess and scholarship to be in the position to do a thorough critique on the theory and theorist.

However, since it is a personal response paper, there is one segment that I can truly say that speaks a lot about who I am and my own journey. For instance, faith and morality are intricately intertwined just as faith, ethics and values are almost synonymous (Berger, 1994).

Fowler may be correct to a certain extent in attributing specific concepts which indeed are descriptive of universal experiences (Berger, 1994), and I cannot argue with this theorist on this issue. It is altogether important to me that individuals must come to grips to the effects of personal faith on conduct and decision making process, and such issues as personal priorities.

It is when a person decides to commit to what may be attributed as a mystical Being (i.e., in the conception of God) that spells a difference to that person’s worldview or way of life. I would still like to argue with Fowler that he has reduced so much to an intellectual explanation something which cannot be explained since there is a difference (in my perspective and understanding) between mere knowledge of God and real spirituality.

I personally don’t like it when intellectuals and philosophers settle to “study God” or morality and departing from real substantive and life changing faith.

Reference:

Berger, K. S. (1994). The developing person through the life-p. (3rd ed). Worth.