Page 103 - Communication and the Evolution of Society

80 Communication and Evolution of Society

approved by them. There is much conformity to stereotypical images
of what is majority or “natural’’ behavior. Behavior is frequently
judged by intention—‘‘he means well’ becomes important for the first
time. One earns approval by being ‘‘nice.”
Stage 4: The “law and order’ ortentation. There is orientation toward
authority, fixed rules, and the maintenance of the social order. Right
behavior consists of doing one’s duty, showing respect for authority,
and maintaining the given social order for it’s own sake.

Il. Postconventional, autonomous, or principled level
At this level, there is a clear effort to define moral values and prin-
ciples which have validity and application apart from the authority of
the groups or persons holding these principles, and apart from the
individual’s own identification with these groups. This level again has
two stages. -

Stage 5: The social-contract legalistic orientation, generally with util-
itarian overtones. Right action tends to be defined in terms of general
individual rights, and standards which have been critically examined
and agreed upon by the whole society. There is a clear awareness of
the relativism of personal values and opinions and a corresponding
emphasis upon procedural rules for reaching consensus. Aside from
what is constitutionally and democratically agreed upon, the right is a
matter of personal “‘values” and “opinion.” The result is an emphasis
upon the “legal point of view,” but with an emphasis upon the pos-
sibility of changing law in terms of rational considerations of social
utility (cather than freezing it in terms of stage 4 “law and order’).
Outside the legal realm, free agreement and contract is the binding
element of obligation. This is the “‘official’” morality of the American
government and constitution.

Stage 6: The universal ethical principle orientation. Right is defined
by the decision of conscience in accord with self-chosen ethical prin-
ciples appealing to logical comprehensiveness, universality, and consis-
tency. These principles are abstract and ethical (the Golden Rule, the
categorical imperative); they are not concrete moral rules like the Ten
Commandments. At heart, these are universal principles of justrce, of
the reciprocity and equality of human rights, and of respect for the
dignity of human beings as individual persons.

Source: Lawrence Kohlberg, ‘From Is to Ought,” in T. Mishel, ed., Cognitive
Development and Epistemology (New York, 1971), pp. 151-236.