Although I recognize that people have differing beliefs and opinions, I still cannot identify myself

on the post-conventional stage of Kohlberg’s levels of development. At 28, I am still at Stage 4. I cannot

recall an experience where I rationalized an action not based on its legality or social acceptability.

I define right from wrong based solely on its legal and social implications. I assess actions based

on existing laws, rules, culture, and tradition. For me, what is legally wrong in the rule of law is morally

wrong, whatever the reason of action is. The end does not justify the means simply because I believe

that there will always be another solution to a problem that will not require a person to do an unlawful

act or sacrifice the interest of others. To me, at least right now, someone who steals for the poor is still a

thief and his action is still immoral. Likewise, I cannot see myself stealing, however poor I become, so I

can feed my starving family or treat a dying loved one. I’ve never really given it a thought to neither

question the existing norms and laws nor fathom the possibility that obeying one may result to a

violation of someone else’s human right. For me, existing laws are already logically and rationally crafted

while social norms, although may change through time, shall always be considered in making moral

decisions. I believe that we have to adhere to existing laws and social norms in order to achieve and

maintain an effective society.

Personally, right now, I don’t recognize the need for me to change my own perception of

morality. But I guess, when faced with an experience that will require me to go beyond what law and

society dictates, perhaps an actual or real life and death decision, I will be transcended to a higher stage.

Maybe, when this transforming experience hit me, I will be a changed man, someone who will not be

restricted to the rules of law or the existing society or someone who will believe that there may be other

deeds that may be unlawful but can still be morally justified. I suppose also that I have to immerse
myself in other culture to widen my understanding of the world and allow myself to at least open up to

the possibility that there may be something that needs to be corrected on my current society.