According to Kohlberg’s theory, individuals who reach the highest level of post-conventional moral reasoning judge moral issues based on deeper principles and shared ideals rather than self-interest or adherence to laws and rules.

Moral decisions are based on either being good by following the rules or being bad by breaking them. For example, a child may think, ‘I don’t want to be spanked so I’m not going to hit my brother!’ Stage 2 is about self-reward. Moral decisions in this stage are based on getting a reward that is personally meaningful.

Stage 6: Universal ethical principle orientation According to Kohlberg, this is the highest stage of functioning. However, he claimed that some individuals will never reach this level. At this stage, the appropriate action is determined by one’s self-chosen ethical principles of conscience.

According to Kohlberg, children early in their middle childhood stage of development will typically display “Preconventional” moral reasoning. Children displaying preconventional moral reasoning have internalized basic culturally prescribed rules governing right and wrong behavior.

Kohlberg identified three levels of moral reasoning: pre-conventional, conventional, and post-conventional. Each level is associated with increasingly complex stages of moral development.

noun, plural mo·ral·i·ties for 4-6. conformity to the rules of right conduct; moral or virtuous conduct. moral quality or character. virtue in sexual matters; chastity. a doctrine or system of morals.

Frequency: Morality is the standard of society used to decide what is right or wrong behavior. An example of morality is the belief by someone that it is wrong to take what doesn’t belong to them, even if no one would know. Principles of right and wrong in conduct; ethics.

When “morality” is used simply to refer to a code of conduct put forward by an actual group, including a society, even if it is distinguished from etiquette, law, and religion, it is being used in a descriptive sense. It is also being used in the descriptive sense when it refers to important attitudes of individuals.

A person whose morality is reflected in his willingness to do the right thing-even if it hard or dangerous is ethical. Morality protects life and is respectful of others – all others. It is a lifestyle that is consistent with mankind’s universal values.

What is morally right but ethically wrong? Persecution on religious grounds is one of the most common examples of something that is morally right (or at least morally excusable) but ethically wrong.

Lying is bad because a generally truthful world is a good thing: lying diminishes trust between human beings: if people generally didn’t tell the truth, life would become very difficult, as nobody could be trusted and nothing you heard or read could be trusted – you would have to find everything out for yourself.

When we think about why lie or break a promise goes against morals, in Kant’s reasoning, lying is immoral because according to the universal law lying as wrong. This becomes a moral law if everyone can agree that an action is good and act the same way.

For example, it is always wrong to make a false promise, a promise which you do not intend to keep. False promising would be impossible, because no one would accept your promise. When you make a false promise, you are relying on other people honestly keeping their promises; you are treating yourself as an exception.

Something that you should keep in mind about breaking promises is that not only are you disappointing other people, but you are damaging your own self-esteem. This damage has direct and collateral effects. It creates emotional conflicts, you lose honesty, and your relationships are poisoned by mistrust.

To renege is to go back on your word or fail to keep a promise. The Latin negāre means “to deny,” so by reneging on your word, you are denying someone whatever you promised them. In card games, you are said to renege if you play against the rules.

Both the people you mentioned could generally be called “untrustworthy”.

When you make promise-breaking a very rare event, chances are that others will give you a little grace when you do need to break a promise you’ve made. Breaking a promise, in the right way, may even enhance trust and build your relationships.