Kohlberg theory stage 5 vs stage 6

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akimhaneul

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I'm having a lot of trouble understanding the difference between these two. They both focus on moral rights.

I read somewhere on internet for Heinz dilemma stage 6 people would reason that others may need the medicine too and since their lives are just as significant, Heinz should not steal medicine.

Why can't this be stage 5 considering that stage 5 is concerned with maintaining the health of society and working for greater good and individual rights?


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heinz_dilemma

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Stage 5 = Social contract = what we personally think is right or wrong? or what we have socially constructed (via laws) to indicate as right or wrong?

Stage 6 = universal laws = This is where Kant's philosophical ideas also play a role = thinking what if everyone was doing this? what would happen to our society is everyone resorted to stealing?
Kant said that if ever in doubt of whether something is right or wrong, imagine a scenario where everyone started doing this - what would happen then? This stage is more applicable to Heinz Dilemma.

Keep in mind that Kohlberg did a study using the Heinz Dilemma and looked for differences in reasoning of different people and came up with these levels of reasoning.
 
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