postconventional

Postconventional morality is a term in Lawrence Kohlberg’s theory of moral development, describing a level of moral reasoning that goes beyond adherence to laws or social expectations. It is positioned as the third and highest level in his framework, following preconventional and conventional stages. At this level, individuals evaluate rules and norms against broader ethical principles and the greater good, rather than simply conforming or avoiding punishment.

Within postconventional morality, Kohlberg identified two stages. Stage 5, Social Contract and Individual Rights, emphasizes that laws and rules are contingent social contracts that should serve the welfare, freedom, and rights of individuals. People at this stage may support changes to laws if they conflict with shared values or the needs of a diverse society. Stage 6, Universal Ethical Principles, centers on abstract, universally applicable principles such as justice, equality, and human dignity. Decisions are guided by these principles even when they conflict with laws or majority opinion; individuals prioritize consistency with core ethical convictions.

The concept has been influential in psychology, education, and ethics, informing approaches to moral education and leadership development. It also faces criticisms, including questions about cultural universality, methodological challenges in measuring higher-level reasoning, and concerns that the model underestimates the role of emotion, context, and social relationships. Some scholars argue that moral development is not strictly hierarchical or universal and that other frameworks better accommodate diverse moral perspectives, including care-based ethics.

In contemporary use, postconventional morality remains a reference point for describing advanced, principle-based ethical reasoning, while recognizing ongoing debates about its applicability across cultures and contexts.