Hypothetical and actual moral reasoning of Israeli selective conscientious objectors during the war in Lebanon (1982-1985)

This study examines the consistency in moral reasoning of 36 Israeli reserve soldiers, aged 23-46, who refused to perform their military service in Lebanon during the war (June 1982-June 1985) claiming that this service would violate their moral convictions. It is hypothesized that mature moral thoughts as have been measured by Colby and Kohlberg (1987) might be associated with mature moral action. The findings support this thesis (R = .63, p < .001). Possible contributing factors to the consistency between hypothetical and actual moral reasoning are the specific nature of the action as a political choice, personal characteristics of the refusers, opportunity for stimulation of moral reasoning, and the nature of the scoring system.