A Bronx Tale
Eric Card
Professor Garcia
Criminal Justice Ethics
February 28, 2011
The Bronx Tale Ethically speaking, the movie “The Bronx Tale” is a great example of one’s moral development. In the movie we watch the lead character, Colagero grow up in the Bronx and gradually form moral judgment with help from his father and instructor, Sonny. Though Sonny is a local mafia boss, he plays a key role in Colagero’s mental and moral development. Colagero’s story illustrates Kohlberg’s theory of moral development and it’s various stages. Kohlberg’s theory includes three levels, pre-conventional, conventional, and post-conventional. The pre-conventional level is about the beginning stages of one’s moral development . The first stage of the pre-conventional period is about blind-obedience where that which is right is rewarded and that which is wrong is punished. When Colagero was little he went to the bar Sonny owned and watched the people interact through the back door that was cracked open. After he told his parents about this, he was disciplined and punished, thus, Colagero didn’t return until adulthood. Stage two of the pre-conventional level explains how one’s actions are still self-serving but their interest is broadened to include close family and friends. Colagero witnesses Sonny murder a man over a parking space in front of his home, to protect himself and his family from the mafia, Colagero fails to tell the police. The conventional level is considered the plato in moral development, as most people go no further. It’s first stage, stage three of the model is about image and how others now influence one’s self-concept. For example, after meeting Jane, Colagero is instantly attracted to her and consequently tries to protect her brother from being beaten-up. Once having reached stage four, one is acutely aware of the law within their soceity and chooses to abide by it without question. Colagero illustrates this stage by consistently
Professor Garcia
Criminal Justice Ethics
February 28, 2011
The Bronx Tale Ethically speaking, the movie “The Bronx Tale” is a great example of one’s moral development. In the movie we watch the lead character, Colagero grow up in the Bronx and gradually form moral judgment with help from his father and instructor, Sonny. Though Sonny is a local mafia boss, he plays a key role in Colagero’s mental and moral development. Colagero’s story illustrates Kohlberg’s theory of moral development and it’s various stages. Kohlberg’s theory includes three levels, pre-conventional, conventional, and post-conventional. The pre-conventional level is about the beginning stages of one’s moral development . The first stage of the pre-conventional period is about blind-obedience where that which is right is rewarded and that which is wrong is punished. When Colagero was little he went to the bar Sonny owned and watched the people interact through the back door that was cracked open. After he told his parents about this, he was disciplined and punished, thus, Colagero didn’t return until adulthood. Stage two of the pre-conventional level explains how one’s actions are still self-serving but their interest is broadened to include close family and friends. Colagero witnesses Sonny murder a man over a parking space in front of his home, to protect himself and his family from the mafia, Colagero fails to tell the police. The conventional level is considered the plato in moral development, as most people go no further. It’s first stage, stage three of the model is about image and how others now influence one’s self-concept. For example, after meeting Jane, Colagero is instantly attracted to her and consequently tries to protect her brother from being beaten-up. Once having reached stage four, one is acutely aware of the law within their soceity and chooses to abide by it without question. Colagero illustrates this stage by consistently