Level I: Preconventional Moral Reasoning
The goal is to get rewards and avoid punishments; this is a self-centred level.
- Stage one: Might makes right (a punishment-and-obedience orientation). The most important value is to maintain the appearance of obedience to authority, avoiding punishment while still advancing self-interest. Don’t get caught!
- Stage two: Look out for number one (an instrumental and relativist orientation). Each person tries to take care of his or her own needs. The reason to be nice to other people is so that they will be nice to you.
Level II: Conventional Moral Reasoning
Emphasis is placed on social rules; this is a parent- and community-centred level.
- Stage three: Good girl and nice boy. Proper behaviour pleases other people. Social approval is more important than any specific reward.
- Stage four: Law and order. Proper behaviour means being a dutiful citizen and obeying the laws set down by society, even when no police are nearby.
Level III: Postconventional Moral Reasoning
Emphasis is placed on moral principles; this level is centred on ideals.
- Stage five: Social contract. Obey social rules because they benefit everyone and are established by mutual agreement. If the rules become destructive or if one party doesn’t live up to the agreement, the contract is no longer binding. Under some circumstances, disobeying the law is moral.
- Stage six: Universal ethical principles. Universal principles, not individual situations (level I) or community practices (level II), determine right and wrong. Ethical values (such as “life is sacred”) are established by individual reflection and may contradict egocentric (level I) or social and community (level II) values.
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