Investigation of fictional characters of Tarikhe Bayhaqi based on Kohlberg's theory of moral development

Document Type : Research Paper

Author

Associate Professor of the Department of Persian Language and Literature, Zabul University

Abstract

Tarikhe Bayhaqi, penned by the renowned Persian literary maestro Abulfazl Beyhaqi, provides an account of the historical incidents during the Ghaznavid era, and explores the ethical traits of the individuals from that period through a narrative approach. Highlighting the particulars and elucidations within Bayhaqi's exposition and analysis of character traits underscores his meticulous consideration of moral cognitive advancements. While primarily serving as a historical account of a ruling dynasty, Bayhaqi's writing style has transformed it into a comprehensive work aligned with ethical standards and repercussions. The moral development theory proposed by Lawrence Kohlberg, a distinguished American psychologist and renowned professor at the University of Chicago, delineates three distinct levels of moral development based on individuals' normative traits. This theory can serve as a pertinent theoretical framework for scrutinizing the Tarikhe Bayhaqi's characteristics. Kohlberg's theory of moral development is a cognitive approach to ethics that has been the basis for various research studies. The main objective of this research is to investigate the behavior of fictional characters in Tarikhe Bayhaqi using Kohlberg's theory of moral development and determine whether their traits align with Kohlberg's stages of moral development. By examining this issue in a descriptive and analytical manner, the study has identified six key moral components related to the characters' behavior in Tarikhe Bayhaqi, each of which encompasses several behaviors. Each behavior reflects a specific motivation, which also corresponds to Kohlberg's theory of moral development.

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References

References
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Journal of Prose Studies in Persian Literature
Volume 26, Issue 54
December 2023
Pages 139-167

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