Which statement best describes Stage 6 in Kohlberg's Moral Development?

• A. Based on laws of society.
• B. Based on social contracts.
• C. Based on ethical principles that apply across time and culture.
• D. Based on authority.

Answer: (C)

Stage 6 is the principled level of moral reasoning, where judgments are guided by universal ethical principles that apply across time and culture. People at this stage base decisions on concepts like justice, human rights, and equality, and they act in ways consistent with those principles even when evidence, laws, or social expectations would advise otherwise. That focus on applying broad, enduring principles is what sets Stage 6 apart from earlier stages.

The other descriptions map to earlier levels: basing morality on laws of society fits the conventional level’s emphasis on social order; basing morality on social contracts fits the conventional/early postconventional transition where rules are contingent on agreement; basing morality on authority reflects a focus on obedience to authority typical of the preconventional or early conventional stages.