Stages of Moral Reasoning

Question 1

Stage 1

Answer 1

Punishment and Obedience
“I do what I do to avoid a negative consequence”

Question 1

Stage 2

Answer 1

Personal Usefulness
“I do what I do to get what I want”

Question 2

Stage 3

Answer 2

Conforming to the Will of the Group
“I do what I do because the group I want to belong to/belong to, does it”

Question 3

Stage 4

Answer 3

Law and Order
“I do what I do because authority says I should or must”

Question 4

Stage 5

Answer 4

Social Contract
“I do what I do because the rules exist for a reason, and that reason is important”

• emphasis on the reason/principle as to why the rules are there in first place

Question 5

Stage 6

Answer 5

Personal Conscience
“I do what I do because it’s the right thing to uphold human dignity”

• primary focus on personal morals/principles
• element of self sacrifice
• not even thinking about the rules here