Abstract

This article discusses moral development in light of recent advances in biofunctional cognition. We begin by discussing moral development from three contemporary approaches, namely, the cognitive-developmental, narrative, and educational perspectives. Clearly, these perspectives have changed substantially our understanding of moral development. However, they also share the limitation that they have each focused on some aspect of moral development in isolation. To try to unify what is already known without losing sight of the holistic essence of morality, one must address moral development through the lens of a perspective that can integrate cognitive, social, educational, and other aspects of morality. This paper argues that the biofunctional approach offers such a perspective. This means that we must let go of our focus on the abstract puzzle of the structural organization of moral knowledge and reasoning in favor of an emphasis toward the ultimate goal of understanding how the biofunctional system is also inherently a moral system. Through further understanding of the functioning of the biofunctional system, researchers and practitioners may be in a better position to ensure continued consideration of the complex and holistic nature of moral development.