Final answer:
The scenario presented in the question is a moral dilemma, which requires individuals to make a tough choice between conflicting ethical considerations. Philosophical inquiry and theories like Kohlberg's stages of moral development help to explore and understand the complexities involved in such moral choices.
Step-by-step explanation:
The study described in the student's question is employing a technique referred to as a moral dilemma. A moral dilemma is a situation in which a difficult choice has to be made between two or more actions, each of which will have significant ethical consequences. In the scenario provided, a child witnessing a classmate cheat on a test must decide whether to tell the teacher or not, representing a conflict between the values of honesty and loyalty.
Thinking like a philosopher about moral dilemmas often involves considering various perspectives, such as those presented by Confucius or Plato, and testing philosophical claims about concepts like moral responsibility and free will. Philosophers might also investigate why certain actions are considered universally valid or morally absolute, much like how the operation 2 + 2 is universally valid in mathematics.
Lawrence Kohlberg's theories on moral development, specifically mentioning the conventional level, which occurs when children begin to internalize societal norms about what is considered moral and immoral, also relate to understanding the complexities of moral dilemmas. It's essential to include these theoretical frameworks when considering the moral choices individuals make.