From Darwin to Piaget: The Development and Acquisition of Moral Beliefs

Source: (2006) In Anthony J. W. Taylor, ed., Justice as a Basic Human Need. New York: Nova Science Publishers, Inc. Pp. 39-47.

“If justice is a basic moral need, as Taylor (2003) has argued, then one should be able to find evidence for it early in a person’s developmental history. Indeed, all parents are able to offer numerous accounts of expressed concerns by children concerning fair distribution of food, attention, and other family resources. Parents’ immediate response may be of annoyance, but a broader perspective allows them to appreciate the necessity for children to gain experience in such matters. The central thesis of this chapter is that it is critical for children to express themselves and to gain skills in these interactions because their welfare and the continuation of the species is dependent upon their ability to obtain sufficient resources for survival.” (excerpt)