The Development of Social Knowledge (1983) by Elliot Turiel

When

I read this in my doctoral program.

Why

This is a seminal manuscript in Social Cognitive Domain Theory (SCDT), outlining the origins of its guiding assumptions, the nature of the departure from Kohlberg’s approach to moral development, and the empirical bases of the theory (data and methodological strategies).

How

The ideas and approach put forth in this book are foundational to my scholarship. Namely, when it comes to distinguishing moral from non-moral social concepts, understanding complex social situations involving multiple social concepts, and highlighting the role of various beliefs in moral judgments. One of the things I appreciate the most about SCDT is how, in my view, it attempts, in good faith, to give people the benefit of the doubt when it comes to the assumptions and judgments they may hold about important matters.