Term
| "Individuals are unwilling to accept a will greater than their own." |
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Definition
| Behavior is chaotic, disordered, and reckless. Individuals tend to defy and disobey, and are extremely egoistic. They lack empathy for others. Very young children can be at this stage. Adults who do not move beyond this point in the continuum may engage in criminal activity because they cannot obey rules. |
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Term
| "Individuals have blind faith in authority figures and see the world as divided simply into good and evil and right and wrong." |
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Definition
| Children who learn to obey their parents and other authority figures move to this point in the continuum. Many “religious” people who have blind faith in a spiritual being and do not question its existence may also be at this point. Individuals who are good, law-abiding citizens may never move further in the continuum. |
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Term
| "Scientific skepticism and questioning are critical, because an individual does not accept things on faith, but only if convinced logically." |
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Definition
| Many people working in a scientific and technical field may question spiritual or supernatural forces because they are difficult to measure or prove scientifically. Those who do engage in this skepticism move away from the simple, official doctrines. |
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Term
| "The individual starts enjoying the mystery and beauty of nature and existence." |
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Definition
The individual develops a deeper understanding of good and evil, forgiveness and mercy, compassion and love. Religiousness and spirituality differ significantly from other points in the continuum and things are not accepted on blind faith or out of fear. The individual does not judge people harshly or seek to inflict punishment on them for their transgressions. This is the stage of loving others as one loves oneself, losing attachment to ego, and forgiving enemies.
Basic principles of all models move from the “egocentric,” which are associated particularly with childhood, to “conformist,” and eventually to “integration” or “universal.” |
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