Understanding The Stages Of Ethical Development: Should Heinz Purloin The Remedy?
Studying The Model of Ethical Development: Should Heinz Thieve the Treatment?
Lawrence Kohlberg suggested that people cultivate their sense of morality by progressing through a set of developmental stages. The theory has since been named Kohlberg’s Stages of Moral Development.
According to Kohlberg, there are 3 main levels of Moral development, with 6 stages of development spread out with 2 stages falling under each level. These levels are best explained by considering one of Kohlberg’s classic dilemmas.
I typically use the story of Heinz, based on Kohlberg’s original dilemma:
“One day, there was man named Heinz, whose wife was dying of a rare form of cancer. Only one pharmacist had managed to develop a treatement that would cure the cancer. Heinz asked the pharmacist, but he wanted $1,000,000 for a single solitary dose of the medicine. This pharmacist had only spent $100,000 to formulate the medicine, but wanted to make a large income for his effort.
Heinz went to every bank and friend he could find that would lend him cash, but was merely able to come up with $600,000. This amount was still well over higher than what the pharmacist spent to make the drug, so Heinz went back and explained the situation and requested the pharmacist to let him pay the rest soon. The pharmacist refused, saying he deserved to make a profit for developing this miracle-drug.
Out of despair, Heinz considered breaking into the pharmacy and shoplifting the medicine. Should Heinz steal the remedy, yes or no? Why?â€
Level 1 is Preconventional Moral Reasoning: Honorable does not look ahead to communal implications or cost, and focuses on what will happen to the person making the verdict.
Stage 1: Might vs. Right or Punishment/Obedience: Ethical decisions are based on what actions will lead to uninvited costs. Those in charge are obeyed because the individual wants to evade being punished. Infants/toddlers fall into this category.
Someone in this stage would say “No, he shouldn’t pocket the medicine, he’ll be punished.†They do not point out laws, just punishment.
Stage 2: Tit-for-Tat or Quid Pro Quo or You Scratch My Back, I’ll Scratch Yours or Looking Out for Number One or Individualism, Instrumentalism, and Exchange or Instrumental Exchange: Moral behaviors are based on what the individual will gain from the deal. An action is taken in the hopes of receiving a little in return, with the foremost concentration on the person’s needs. Young children/preschoolers fall into this category.
Someone in this stage would declare “Yes, he ought to take the medicine and save her so she can support him†or something along those lines, focusing on what the wife will do in support of him if he saves her.
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