Understanding The Stages Of Ethical Development: Should Heinz Pocket The Remedy?

Studying The Theory of Moral Development: Should Heinz Pocket the Treatment?

Lawrence Kohlberg suggested that people expand 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 major 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 discover a drug that would cure the cancer. Heinz talked to the pharmacist, but he wanted $1,000,000 for a small solitary dose of the chemotherapy. This pharmacist had only spent $100,000 to manufacture the medicine, but wanted to make a large profit for his effort.
Heinz went to every bank and friend he could find that would lend him cash, but was only 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 reimburse the rest later on. The pharmacist denied him, saying he deserved to make money for developing this miracle-medicine.
Out of desperation, Heinz pondered breaking into the pharmacy and taking the drug. Should Heinz steal the drug, yes or no? Why?”

Level 1 is Preconventional Moral Reasoning: Ethical does not look ahead to societal implications or penalty, and focuses on what will happen to the person making the decision.

Stage 1: Might vs. Right or Punishment/Obedience: Moral decisions are based on what events will lead to unwelcome costs. Authority figures are obeyed to prevent being punished. Infants/toddlers fall into this category.

Someone in this stage would say “No, he shouldn’t take the chemical, 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 person will get back out of the deal. An action is taken in the hopes of receiving a little in return, with the major concentration on the individual’s needs. Young children/preschoolers fall into this category.

Someone in this stage would say “Yes, he should take the treatment and save her so she can support him” or something along those lines, focusing on what the wife will do for him if he saves her.

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