Teresa, who is in her early 30s, was arrested after participating in a sit-in as part of a protest march. She says, "I know what I did is against the law; 99 percent of the time I think a person should obey the law, because otherwise we'd have chaos. But sometimes laws are wrong, and I have to disobey them in order to try to change them." In Kohlberg's category system, Teresa is reasoning at the _______.

Question

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Teresa is reasoning at the principled level, which is also known as the postconventional level. This level is characterized by a recognition of the social contract and the need for societal rules and laws, but also an awareness that these laws may sometimes be unjust and in need of change. Teresa's reasoning reflects a commitment to principles such as justice and equality, rather than just personal gain (hedonistic level) or a focus on avoiding punishment or gaining rewards (preconventional level).

Teresa, Who Is in Her Early 30s, Was Arrested After