Psychologist Lawrence Kohlberg created a theory of moral development (or more properly, “moral reasoning”) based upon Jean Piaget’s stages of cognition.  There are three basic levels:  preconventional, conventional, and postconventional, and two stages within each level.  The six stages are as follows: Level 1 (Preconventional) 1. Obedience and Punishment Orientation – at this stage of...Read More

According to the ancient Romans, there are five stages of human development: 0-15 years – Pueritia – early childhood and latent period of early school years 15-25 – Adulescentia – puberty and adolescence 25-40 – Luventus – first adulthood 40-55 – Virilitas – second adulthood 55+ – Senectus – old age For more about the...Read More

According to the ancient Hindu Laws of Manu, there are four stages or “ashramas” of life, each lasting 21 (or 25) years. The first stage – 0-21 (0-25)  years – Brahmacharya/Student – the person lives as a unmarried celibate, studies with a guru; the focus is on education, character development, development of skills The second...Read More

“According to a beautiful legend from the Jewish tradition, the fetus in the womb has a light that shines above his head that sees from one end of the universe to the other.  This light encompasses the unborn’s own deep past and his ultimate destiny.  Just before birth, however, the angel Lailah comes to the...Read More

Fielding Graduate University sponsors a free monthly e-newsletter called Human Values in Aging, that provides a rich source of information about humanistic gerontology, including brief articles, books and films of interest, web links, calendar of events, and quotations on humanism and spirituality in aging.  It is edited by Dr. Harry R. Moody, author of The...Read More