Level I: Preconventional Moral ReasoningThe goal is to get rewards and avoid punishments; this is a self-centered 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. Be nice to other people so that they will be nice to you.
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Level II: Conventional Moral ReasoningEmphasis on social rules; this is a family, community, and cultural level.- Stage three: Good girl and nice boy. Proper behavior pleases other people. Social approval is more important than any specific reward.
- Stage four: Law and order. Proper behavior means being a dutiful citizen and obeying the laws set down by society, even when no police are nearby.
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Level III: Postconventional Moral ReasoningEmphasis is placed on moral principles; this level is centered on ideals.- Stage five: Social contract. Social rules are obeyed when 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 those circumstances, disobeying the law may be 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 thought and prayer. They may contradict egocentric (level I) or social and community (level II) values.
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