Morality and Spirituality in Dialogue: A Pastoral Reinterpretation of Classical Cognitive‑Developmental Theories of Moral Development

Abstract

This study explores the relationship between moral development and spiritual formation by offering a pastoral reinterpretation of classical cognitive-developmental theories. Drawing on Kohlberg’s stage model—including the proposed seventh stage—it examines how moral reasoning can evolve toward a transcendent orientation that integrates ethical principles with spiritual awareness. The work highlights the essential role of emotional experience, social context, and dialectical thinking in shaping mature religious judgment. It argues that pastoral practice should go beyond doctrinal instruction to foster ethical discernment, personal autonomy, and the individual construction of religious meaning. The study emphasizes the value of community-based and dialogical pastoral models that honor the unique spiritual experiences of individuals. Furthermore, it suggests that mature religious experience presupposes moral competencies, reframing the connection between religious and moral development as a dynamic and structural interplay rather than a hierarchical progression. This reinterpretation contributes to the theoretical understanding of moral and spiritual development and offers practical insights for pastoral care, especially in designing community-oriented models that integrate moral reasoning with spiritual guidance.