The Relevance of Jean Piaget’s Theory of Moral Development in Addressing The Challenges of The Society 5.0 Era

Abstract

The Society 5.0 era is characterized by the harmonious collaboration between technology and humans to create a better life. Rapid technological developments offer children access to various learning resources but simultaneously open the door to ambiguous or even contradictory moral values. This study aimed to describe the relevance of Jean Piaget's theory of moral development in addressing the challenges of the Society 5.0 era, using a literature review approach. Moral development in children begins with observing behaviors and judging them as right or wrong, followed by the imitation of those behaviors. Moral awareness begins to form in early childhood, underscoring the critical role of parents in shaping children's moral intelligence. Jean Piaget, a Swiss psychologist, proposed a theory of moral development aligned with his broader cognitive development theory, suggesting that morality evolves through stages parallel to cognitive growth. According to Piaget, moral development occurs in two stages: (a) Heteronomous Morality (ages 5–10), where rules are seen as unchangeable mandates from authority figures such as God, parents, and teachers; and (b) Autonomous Morality or the Morality of Cooperation (ages 10 and above), where children begin to recognize differing perspectives and consider moral intentions. In today’s technological age, children aged 0–8 face challenges including a lack of digital regulation, exposure to inappropriate digital content, and emotional and social disturbances. Thus, Piaget’s theory remains highly relevant in navigating moral development challenges in the Society 5.0 era.