Kenny Edwinson W.

Kaw
BSIE-1

“HUNTER KILLER”-A Reflection on Kohlberg's Theory of Stages of Development

In this paper I will be focusing upon two characters from the film and relate them to their
corresponding level and stage according to Kohlberg's stages of development. These
characters would be: (1) the newly-promoted unorthodox Joe Glass portrayed by Gerard Butler,
and (2) Russian defence minister Dmitriy Durov portrayed by Mikhail Gorevoy. To determine the
reasoning ability of the two characters is the goal of this paper.
The plot follows a US submarine crew and a group of Navy SEALs who rescue the captured
Russian President from a coup d'état led by Durov. The purpose of the coup was for Durov to
take control of Russia and start a war against the US. When the news reached Joe Glass, who
was still in the process of investigating a US submarine wreck in Russian waters, he knew he
had to save the Russian president to prevent triggering a war. The fate of the world was in his
hands.
Let's first look at Joe Glass, the protagonist who arguably was given the highest stakes. The
biggest dilemma he faced was whether he should save the Russian president or not. The
problem was that Glass was not given orders from his superior to proceed with the mission, nor
was he prepared to do such a thing. If he didn't take action, Durov would have manipulated
Russia by then and commenced attacks on the US, but if he did, a failed mission and a dead
Russian president could be blamed on US hands. So here, he chose to save the Russian
president. Looking deeply here, Glass made his decision for the benefit of the whole world in
order to prevent another world war. This is in accordance with Stage 5 of the Post-Conventional
Level of Kohlberg's theory. He didn't do it because it would solely benefit himself
(Pre-Conventional Level), nor did he do it because he wanted to conform to socially accepted
norms and rules (Conventional Level), which in fact he did the opposite. He's plausibly in the
Post-Conventional Level. I would say it's Stage 5 since it is more probable that he made his
decision out of a utilitarian outlook than a personal universal principle outlook.
Now let us look at defence minister Dmitriy Durov. His intention of carrying out the coup d'etat
was to demolish the “lousy” Russian government led by a “lousy” Russian president and instead
build a stronger nation that could rival the US. His ideals went too far, however, as he valuated
the Russian forces could start a war against the US. With this, it is quite apparent that his
decisions are in accordance with Stage 6 of the Post-Conventional Level of Kohlberg's theory.
His actions may have been in-line with personal satisfaction of power, but he is also fully aware
of the rules and social constructs, which are Pre-Conventional and Conventional Levels. In
here, he is convinced of the righteousness of his own principles and, despite the hierarchy of
the Russian government, still makes the decision to commence the coup.