Now let us tackle Stage 4 of Kohlberg’s Stages of Moral Development.

This Stage of Moral Development is also known as Law & Order Orientation Stage. In this stage,
individuals have reached adulthood and they usually consider society as a whole when making judgments.
According to Kohlberg, this stage is characterized by obedience to the law, responding to the obligations
of duty, and respect for those in authority. This stage emphasizes the upholding of the law and order,
doing one’s duty, and obeying social norms. Kohlberg believes that this stage is important because this
stage there is a high value in obeying the law than simply seeking the approval of one’s peers. Moral
reasoning in this stage goes beyond individual approval that is characterized in stage 3. In stage 4,
individuals blindly obey the law because of the importance to maintain a well-functioning society.
Going back to our example of Heinz’s dilemma. For an individual who is in stage 4, His thoughts and
actions will be more aligned with the idea “I will not steal because it is against the law” or “Most honest
people would steal to save their wives’ life”
Moving on, let us proceed to the next level which is the Post Conventional Level of Morality.
The post-conventional level is focused on the common good and universal moral principles. This is also
considered the most challenging level. According to Kohlberg, individuals at this level make judgments
based on impartial universal moral principles even when these judgments may conflict with societal
standards. Hence, at this level, the individual’s sense of morality is defined in terms of abstract principles
and values. Individuals now believe that some laws are unjust thus they must be repelled if not
eliminated. According to Kohlberg, this level is characterized by a growing realization that individuals
are separate entities from society, and they may disobey rules that are inconsistent with their own beliefs
and principles. Individuals in the post-conventional level live by their own ethical principles. This
includes basic human rights like the right to life, liberty, and justice. Also in this level, individuals view
rules as useful but are always changeable rather than something which is absolute and must be obeyed
without question. Laws and Rules will only be considered as a significant mechanism for maintaining
harmony and order in society.
According to Kohlberg, the 5th and 6th stages belong to this level.

The 5th stage is also known as Social-Contract Orientation. In stage 5, the world is viewed as holding
different opinions, rights, and values. Such perspectives should be mutually respected as unique to each
person or community. This stage is concerned with the common good. According to Kohlberg, this stage
is anchored on the understanding of social mutuality and genuine interest in the welfare of others. In this
stage, Laws and rules are for the good of the community and for the equal protection of individual rights.

Again, Going back to our example. For an individual who is in stage 5, His thoughts will be more like “I
will not steal because respect of property ownership is an important part of maintaining laws and societal
order” or “I will steal the drug because the law cannot justify losing a human life”

The 6th and last stage is also known as Universal-Ethical-Principal Orientation. In stage 6, moral
reasoning is based on abstract reasoning using universal ethical principles. At this stage, an individual
already has a principled conscience and will follow universal and ethical principles. This stage is
concerned with respect for universal principles such as justice, dignity, and equality. For Kohlberg, the
basis of one’s action is not just the common good but deeper universal principles. Hence, a moral decision
is not just based on the laws and rules of the society, but on one’s conscience.

Again, Going back to our example of Heinz’s dilemma. Someone in stage 6 would act in accordance with
the thought that, “Saving the greatest number of lives possible is always the best decision so I will steal
the drug”

In sum, for Kohlberg individuals grow and develop in progression from one stage to another. An
individual cannot just jump from stage 1 to stage 4 without passing through stages 2 and 3. Thus for
Kohlberg one’s moral development is linear and is ordered hierarchically.