Kohlberg's Theory of Moral Development • Topic 3 of 5

Level 3 — Post-conventional Morality

At the post-conventional level — reached by only some adults, and not always — morality is based on abstract principles and values that the person has reasoned out for themselves, which can stand above particular laws. Stage 5, the social-contract orientation, sees laws as social agreements that exist for human welfare and the protection of rights; they should generally be followed, but unjust laws can and should be changed through agreed processes, because the principles behind them (rights, welfare) matter more than the letter of the law. Stage 6, universal ethical principles, is guided by self-chosen, universal principles of justice, equality and human dignity; if a law violates these principles, conscience comes first (the reasoning of figures like Gandhi or Martin Luther King Jr.). CTET scenarios: defending civil disobedience against an unjust law on grounds of justice and human rights signals post-conventional reasoning.

✅ Solved examples

1. A person argues Heinz should steal the drug 'because a human life is worth more than property, and that principle outranks the law'. This reasoning is at:
Stage 6 (universal ethical principles) — self-chosen principles of justice and the value of life override the law.
2. Believing laws are social contracts that can be changed when they fail to serve human welfare reflects:
Stage 5 (social contract) — the first post-conventional stage.
3. Post-conventional morality is reached by:
Only some adults — it is not universal; many people remain at the conventional level.
4. Gandhi's principled civil disobedience against an unjust law best illustrates:
Post-conventional morality (Stage 6) — conscience and universal principles placed above particular laws.

✏️ Practice — try these, take hints as needed

1. Viewing laws as changeable social agreements for human welfare is which stage?
First post-conventional stage.
Stage 5 (social contract)
2. Acting on self-chosen universal principles of justice, even against the law, is which stage?
Highest stage.
Stage 6 (universal ethical principles)
3. The post-conventional level is achieved by:
Not everyone.
Only some adults (not universal)
4. Reasoning that human rights outrank an unjust statute reflects which level?
Highest level.
Post-conventional level

📝 Topic test — 8 questions

Auto-graded with full solutions; saved to your dashboard. Use the calculator and formula sheet (top-right) any time.

Loading questions…
← Level 2 — Conventional Morality The Heinz Dilemma & Kohlberg’s Method →