Ateneo Graduate School of Business

Rockwell Drive, Makati City

BUSINESS ETHICS

LLENARESAS, MONICA KRISTINE M.

Father Xavier Alpasa

March 1, 2016
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Kohlberg’s Stages of Moral Development

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
 Kohlberg’s Stages of Moral Development 1

believe that there may be other deeds that may be unlawful but can still be morally justified. I

suppose that I also 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.