Final answer:
Ignorance is not necessary for moral development; instead, it is hindered by it. Moral development involves understanding societal norms, as posited in Kohlberg's conventional level, and is influenced by values like integrity and courage.
Step-by-step explanation:
Well-developed knowledge, abilities, and values in ignorance is NOT necessary for effective moral development. On the contrary, moral development is facilitated by knowledge, skills, and values such as integrity, courage, and the capacity for good judgment and leadership. Ignorance does not contribute to one's ability to make ethical decisions, understand moral principles, or engage productively in the process of moral inquiry.
In the context of moral development theories and notable figures, Franklin listed thirteen virtues but mercy was not among them. Lawrence Kohlberg's conventional level of moral development involves children beginning to consider what society considers moral and immoral, showing the influence of social norms on moral reasoning. Carol Gilligan critiqued previous research on morality for overlooking sympathetic reactions to moral situations.