Steinbeck (in Grapes of Wrath?) had a character recite the 5 levels of moral development. It went something like this:

1) I don't want to get in trouble

2) I want to please someone

3) I want to follow the rules

4) I want to help other people

and the highest level,

5) I have a personal moral code, and I abide by it

He explained these as levels we reach with age - entering school at age 5 or 6 we first hide from trouble. Then in first grade we want to please the nice teacher. Somewhere in middle school kids become rules-lawyers. Later in life they may learn to be philanthropic.

People can be stuck at one of these early levels for life.

Interestingly, this mirrors Kohlberg's stages of moral development, though Kohlberg was a child when Grapes of Wrath came out.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawrence_Kohlberg%27s_stages_o...

The one missing stage is #2, self-interest, which in this framing would be "I want to please myself."

I think it's not just age, but the wealth and prosperity that can go along with it. It's easier to have a moral code and look down on those with less when your own needs and wants are secure.

My old minister used to say "We can have all the morals we can afford"

Shit, I'm stuck at 3. This is bad.

Not as bad as being stuck at #1, which can be rephrased as "don't get caught." Far too many adults are still there.

#4 and #5 are back to #1 - Doing what you feel is best while not being caught for doing it, just with a broader sense of "best".

I'm not sure how that applies, but it's interesting. Maybe I shouldn't say "guilt" as much as "shame".