Final answer:
Carol Gilligan criticized Kohlberg's theory for neglecting the role of relationships and prioritizing justice over care, highlighting a gender bias that overvalues male ethical perspectives and undervalues the feminine ethics of care.
Step-by-step explanation:
Carol Gilligan's criticisms of Kohlberg's theory of moral development focus on what she perceives as a gender bias, arising from the theory's emphasis on principles that are more closely associated with a male perspective on ethics. Gilligan identified two primary criticisms:
- It neglects the role of relationships: Gilligan suggests that Kohlberg's theory doesn't adequately consider the importance of interpersonal relationships in moral reasoning, especially as they are valued in a feminine ethics of care.
- It prioritizes justice over care: She contends that Kohlberg's framework overemphasizes abstract principles like justice and rights, which align with a male perspective, while undervaluing the ethical approach centered around care and responsibility, which align with a female perspective.
Gilligan theorized that an ethics of care should be recognized as equally important to an ethics of justice, challenging the notion that one is superior to the other and highlighting the role of socialization in how individuals learn morality.