I was speaking to someone today about Libertarianism and how it seems to be a "I want and it's mine screw everyone else selfish philosophy" it is regularly described as thinking like a 4 year old, it is mine, I am not going to share and I want it because it is mine.
They explained to me Lawrence Kohlberg's stages of moral development.
As people develop they learn and develop morals, some people progress and their morals develop to higher levels, some people do not advance.
I have been informed Libertarians are at level 1 self interest....
"Stage two (self-interest driven) expresses the "what's in it for me" position, in which right behavior is defined by whatever the individual believes to be in their best interest but understood in a narrow way which does not consider one's reputation or relationships to groups of people. Stage two reasoning shows a limited interest in the needs of others, but only to a point where it might further the individual's own interests. As a result, concern for others is not based on loyalty or intrinsic respect, but rather a "You scratch my back, and I'll scratch yours." mentality.[2] The lack of a societal perspective in the pre-conventional level is quite different from the social contract (stage five), as all actions have the purpose of serving the individual's own needs or interests."
Basically selfish and will develop theories to back up there beliefs, justifying whatever moral transgressions no matter how crazy they may be. Due to stunted moral development.
People progress through the scale in order and as they grow older for most people anyway.
Morals are also not related to intelligence and just because someone's morals have not progressed it does not mean they are a bad person. It is like a child who does not want to share, they are not a bad child they are just at that stage of development.
You then go through the stages of development and you get to stage 5
"In Stage five (social contract driven), the world is viewed as holding different opinions, rights and values. Such perspectives should be mutually respected as unique to each person or community. Laws are regarded as social contracts rather than rigid edicts. Those that do not promote the general welfare should be changed when necessary to meet "the greatest good for the greatest number of people."[8] This is achieved through majority decision and inevitable compromise. Democratic government is ostensibly based on stage five reasoning."
Stage 5 is where you think of others and community, I asked why the hell can't someone at an earlier stage see the problem in their thinking and how thinking only about themselves and not the bigger picture just does not work in a community.
I was told that it is like trying to have a 5 year old do year 10 maths, they just have no concept or ability to understand it because they have not been taught and developed to that level.
Very interesting and I learnt a lot, so when people say Libertarians are a selfish bunch of turds who think along the lines of I got mine and screw everyone else you can direct them to
Kohlbergs stages of moral development