Morality in duty-based theory is objective because it rests on universal duties that apply to all rational beings, independent of personal feelings or specific circumstances. In this approach, an action is right or wrong based on whether it follows a duty or rule that could be willed as a universal law, not on the consequences it produces. For example, the duty to tell the truth remains the same regardless of how lying might affect a particular situation. The idea that morality varies with the situation or depends on personal preferences would contradict this view, and it’s not about social conventions either. Because it emphasizes universal, rational obligations over outcomes or subjective views, morality under this framework is considered objective.

The main idea being tested is how integrity captures honesty and reliability in everyday decisions. Integrity means acting with honesty and consistency, aligning actions with your stated values even when it’s inconvenient. It’s about truthfulness, keeping promises, and following through, which builds trust in daily interactions. Laws describe rules set by authorities and regulate behavior, but they don’t define a person’s inner honesty or reliability. Morals are personal beliefs about right and wrong, which influence choices, yet integrity specifically emphasizes consistent alignment between values and actions across situations. Ethics refers to a system of principles guiding a group or profession, offering broader standards rather than the everyday personal behavior described by integrity. So, the term that emphasizes honesty and reliability in daily decision making is integrity.

Kohlberg's theory centers on how people reason about moral issues—the justifications they use to decide what is right or wrong—rather than just what actions they take or the outcomes they produce. He proposed that moral reasoning develops through a sequence of stages, organized into three levels: preconventional, conventional, and postconventional. Each stage reflects a different basis for judging right from wrong, progressing from self-interest and obedience to authority to adherence to social rules and, finally, to universal ethical principles. The Heinz dilemma is a classic example used to illustrate how reasoning changes as people move through these stages. This focus on the development and structure of moral justification is why the concept is stages of moral reasoning. Economic outcomes look at results and efficiency, social norms concern what a group expects, and feelings involve emotions—none capture the developmental sequence of moral justification that Kohlberg studied.

In ethics, two ideas shape trustworthy behavior: openness in how decisions are made and being answerable for what happens because of those decisions. Transparency is about showing the processes, criteria, and rationales behind actions so others can see how decisions were reached. Accountability is about owning what you do—being responsible for the actions and the results, and facing the appropriate consequences or taking corrective steps if things go wrong. These concepts work together. When a organization is transparent, it provides the information needed for others to assess whether actions align with values and standards. When it’s accountable, there’s a mechanism to accept responsibility for those actions and their outcomes, including corrective actions if ethics were breached. They aren’t the same thing: openness alone doesn’t guarantee responsibility or consequences, and responsibility without openness can leave stakeholders unsure about what happened.