Serrano, Ma.

Natalie Dominic
Ethics B
October 30, 2021

THE STAGES OF MY DEVELOPMENT

Actually, before doing this reflection paper, I kept on thinking and reflecting about the topic for
this paper. I kept on recalling events in my life that molded me into this version of myself right now. I
kept reminiscing past memories that made a big impact on me and I tried to remember all those aspects
in my life that had a huge turnout on how I do things lately. Reading Kohlberg’s stages of development
made me come to a realization that I do not have a definite stage within me. I am not designated on only
one section of those stages of development. Although I’ve experienced those stages, it does not mean that
the end will be the last stage. I do not see it that way because I believe that I am bound to transition and
shift all throughout those stages in life as long as I am still alive.
The reason why I believe that I am not bound on one stage simply because I tend to change my
morals, I tend to shift my beliefs, I tend to learn a lot of new things, experience new stuff and discover the
parts of me that has yet to be discovered. I do not want to stay in a single stage, because I want to explore
as much as possible and try to gain new knowledge day by day. I just feel that I am this type of person
who has a lot of space to grow, that is why my stages of development does not only vary to one but
instead, all of them. It changes from time to time depending on my situation or the events that I have been
or experienced.
Even though I stated that I do not have a certain stage that I am meant to stay at, I can say that I
revolve around stages four, five, and six. I am so inclined with those stages that I always take turns on
being in those specific positions. Stages one, two or and three are more focused on children and young
adults, but with stages four up to six, the attention revolves around adults, the transitions that is
happening in their lives and that is why those stages are so relatable for me. Back then when I was a teen,
I used to believe that I am lost, but I had this hope within me that maybe once I become an adult, or grow
even much older, I may already know the things that I need to do in my life. I never once expected that
being an adult would be this hard, I am more lost now than before, and it was such a huge blow for me. I
was totally wrong to believe that I had everything figured out already but life has proved me wrong in so
many ways. That is why I do not want to define myself being on a specific stage right now because I am on
a point that I am learning, growing, evaluating and reflecting and I am sure that this will be occur each
and every time. Definite limitless and boundless.
For example, I am pro-abortion. I do approved of having abortion for women who wants to
undergo through it. I am fully aware that there are a lot of people who are not in favor of this, especially
here in the Philippines because this is a religious and conservative country. But I think that allowing
abortion here in the Philippines will actually help in resolving poverty and over population. It will also
help underage women to still continue their education and get their degrees. We should also think of
those women who got pregnant because of getting raped or those women who are not mentally,
financially and emotionally prepared to be a mother. But at the end of the day, I can still see that this is
not applicable in the Philippines. Abortion is illegal in our country and I do respect that decision but at
the same time I also want other people to see that there is an advantage if abortion will be approved in
our country, Instead of focusing on the negativities and holding on to the religious inclinations, let us be
rational and practical. With this, we can already see that I am relatable with stage five and four since I am
aware of the following laws and principles that are generally known already in our society, which has
been presented as a standard for good and right. As well as the need for me to keep myself intact in order
to promote peace in the society. But at the same time, you can say that I also have the tendency to be
under stage six, because I do have certain beliefs within me that was molded through various knowledge
and experiences as well as considering other’s opinions which led to this set of ideals that I follow or
practice.
Next example is that, I am an advocate for mental health. I want people to see how serious this
issue really is but some people tend to see this as unnecessary or they even say that people who are
suffering from any mental health illnesses are “crazy” or “attention-seekers” which they are not. That is a
common misconception and a stigma about mental health. You can actually see it sometimes in social
media platforms or even hear it from people that mental disorders are just made up by people who are
not getting enough care or love which really frustrates me big time because it is more than that. It can be
caused by trauma or abuse, it can be caused by neurological dysfunctions, it can be caused by unbalanced
chemicals within our bodies and it can be caused by any psychological influences. I saw a family member
of mine attempted suicide, and this is a fact, definitely not a made up story. I saw everything and heard
everything from that particular night because I was the first one who discovered that gruesome scene. I
heard people talk bad, and even judged the character of that person which made me so enraged. I wanted
to rant and throw tantrums at them because how can they do that when someone is out there trying to
survive from the breath of death? But I kept myself composed, I thought to myself it is not worth it. I also
know about the libel and slander cases that can be filed against me if I ever said something bad to them or
even write downgrading things about those people. Once again, you can see that I am within stages four
five and six. I revolve around those three stages depending on the situation. It can be mixed at some
points because not only I have the knowledge about the law and the order but I am also aware of my
being, I am clear with my principles and ideals.
I am not sure if not having the ultimate stage for moral development is valid. But I am certain that
I can change my perspective of moral development changes from time to time depending on the events
that will occur or has occurred already. I decided not to be on a final stage since it will be a violation of
my beliefs, since I do not condone being stuck on one development because I want to grow more as well
as to be wiser. Recognizing this type of decision will surely allow me to know on what things are
important to me and on the things that I should put more focus on or to relay my energy to.
You can see that I am transitioning from one stage to another because I always have this pattern of
inclusivity, I always have this urge within me to accept different concepts and aspects from everything
and giving those chances to prove something worth it to me, or something that could change my
perspective. I always love the thrill of experiencing something new, or something that is uncommon for
me and being able to use that as my instrument to unearth multiple things while journeying through this
life. In every environment that I am in, I can feel that I am being influenced by the people and the
situations that I come across every single time thus making me not have any definitive stage.
But of course, the question being asked is on what particular stage am I in? I did answer that I
have no particular staged and explained it already, but I’m too scared that I might get this essay wrong, so
as a result, I tried to think once again. And I came up with this, out of the three stages of moral
development that I have been revolving around for quite some time, I want to choose on one out of the
three stages that I keep on coming back despite of interchanging multiple times. These one stage is
always the stage that I keep on returning after I undergo on some process of transitioning. This is usually
my end game after all. It is stage six. Stage six focuses on my ideals, morals and beliefs and how I can use
it to make important decisions. In stage six it tackles about how someone can be influenced on the
choices they do in their lives based on the principles that they learned throughout their existence.
For example, I do not like lying. I cannot really find the reason why people need to lie. I know that
there are white lies and black lies but I still do not condone that type of action. Why? Because I
experienced people lying to me and it actually hurts me every time I knew about the truth. They did not
even have the courage to tell it to me face to face, but instead I heard it from the mouths of others. Every
time I try to confront them, making myself look like I do not know, they still continue to lie and it makes
me lose my respect to them as well as to doubt them always. Sometimes I even have a hard time knowing
what is real, because I got a lot of people messed with my perception of truth. That is why it is one of my
greatest ethical standards to never lie as much as possible. It is indeed true that telling the truth will hurt
you but telling lies will make a person suffer even more.
I can actually relate to stage six most of the time since every time I need to do a decision or to
create a choice then I always look back on my set of ideals, morals and beliefs. I keep on asking myself
whether or not it is applicable to my standards and whether or not this is aligned on what I believe is
right and good. I try to relate it also with my past experiences, since I want to be careful as much as
possible and not to create the same mistakes all over again or to experience the same pain once again.
The last stage is always the prominent one for me because it relates on how I managed my set of
principles, and how I use those aspects to come up with a rational output. As well as at this stage, in my
own understanding, talks about the uniqueness of every individual can be expressed through their beliefs
and morals, or the concepts that they hold on to. This can be used to come to a compromise among each
other despite of differences thus leading everyone to unity despite of diversity.