What characterizes postconventional moral development?

Postconventional moral development is characterized by decisions that are based on internalized principles and values rather than external factors such as laws, social norms, or rewards. Individuals at this stage of moral reasoning understand that while laws and rules are important, they also recognize that these can be flawed or unjust. Therefore, their moral judgments are derived from their own ethical principles, which may involve consultation with universal moral principles, such as justice, equality, and respect for human rights.

This stage reflects a deeper level of moral reasoning where individuals are capable of evaluating the morality of laws and norms and can act accordingly, whether or not these laws align with their principles. This ability to prioritize one's values over society's dictates signifies a mature understanding of moral philosophy. In contrast, other approaches involve conforming to societal norms or seeking external validation or rewards, which do not fulfill the essence of postconventional thought.