1. Chapter 12 Group
Presentation
Brigit, Leah, and Glenn

2. The Heinz dilemma
 Heinz’s wife was dying from a particular type of cancer. Doctors said a new drug
might save her. The drug had been discovered by a local chemist and the Heinz tried
desperately to buy some, but the chemist was charging ten times the money it cost to
make the drug and this was much more than the Heinz could afford. Heinz could only
raise half the money, even after help from family and friends. He explained to the
chemist that his wife was dying and asked if he could have the drug cheaper or pay
the rest of the money later. The chemist refused saying that he had discovered the
drug and was going to make money from it. The husband was desperate to save his
wife, so later that night he broke into the chemist’s and stole the drug.
 …Kohlberg hoped to discover the ways in which moral reasoning changed as people
grew. Kohlberg told several dilemma stories and asked many such questions to
discover how people reasoned about moral issues. He identified three distinct levels
of moral reasoning each with two sub stages. People can only pass through these
levels in the order listed. Each new stage replaces the reasoning typical of the earlier
stage. Not everyone achieves all the stages.
 Please view the following video for a brief description of the Heinz dilemma and
responses…
Heinz Dilemma
McLeod, S. A. (2011). Kohlberg - Moral Development. Retrieved from http://www.simplypsychology.org/kohlberg.html

3. Level 1 of Kohlberg ’s stages
– Pre-conventional morality
 Authority is outside the individual and reasoning is based on the physical
consequences of actions.
 Punishment and obedience stage. The child/individual is good in order to avoid being
punished. If a person is punished they must have done wrong.
 Reward stage. The child/individual is good in order to be rewarded. The chemist
should have let Heinz pay later, because one day he might need something from
Heinz.
 Stage 1: Obedience and punishment orientation: powerful authorities set certain rules
that the child must follow
 When dealing with Heinz they would say that stealing is wrong and that they should not steal the drug
 Stage 2: Individualism and exchange: children realize that there is not just one view
that is handed down by authorities
 Each child would have their own viewpoint
McLeod, S. A. (2011). Kohlberg - Moral Development. Retrieved from http://www.simplypsychology.org/kohlberg.html

4. Level 2 of Kohlberg ’s stages –
Conventional Morality
 Person is aware of right versus wrong, but will do whatever their peers would do, without question.
 Person seeks approval of others. They will change his/her answers depending on what they think is wanted to
hear from them.
 Person takes into account the consequences of their actions: dealing with the laws and their own personal guilt.
 Kohlberg ’s stages 3 and 4
• Stage 3 – “Good Intentions”
Intentions”
 Taking into consideration the feelings of others – What will people think of me? Their conclusions
may not be what they would personally do, but they will do them since others are saying it is right.
 Possible response to Heinz Dilemma:
• He should steal the drug so that his wife will not die, and he should not be penalized for doing
so – since it was done with a good intention.
• Stage 4 – “Obedience to Authority”
Authority”
 Taking into account the possible consequences for his actions.
 Following laws.
 Possible response to Heinz Dilemma:
• He should steal the drug because he has a duty to his wife, but he needs to be willing to accept
the consequences since stealing is against the law.
http://www.simplypsychology.org/kohlberg.html
http://www.vtaide.com/blessing/Kohl2.htm
http://www.vtaide.com/blessing/Kohl3.htm

5. Level 3 of Kohlberg ’s stages –

Post-Conventional Morality
Person is aware of the faults in rules.
 Understands the laws, but also recognizes a time when they could be subject to change – for right-doing.
 Person believes in individual rules. They will come up with their own moral code for what they feel is right, and
will not act on the opinions and judgments of others, regardless of what society thinks.
 Kohlberg ’s stages 5 and 6
 Stage 5 – “Social Contract”

Person believes that the rules and laws should be obeyed – but not blindly.
 Possible response to Heinz Dilemma:
 He should steal the drug and have the laws against stealing be reinterpreted because a
person’s life is at stake.
person’
 Stage 6 – “Universal Ethic Principle”
Principle”
 Person believes that their own personal decisions overrule those of the law.
 No laws should be set in stone, and can be subject to change depending on moral judgment.
 Possible response to Heinz Dilemma:
 He should steal the drug because saving a human life is more important than obeying a law
against theft.
http://www.simplypsychology.org/kohlberg.html
http://www.vtaide.com/blessing/Kohl2.htm
http://www.vtaide.com/blessing/Kohl3.htm

6. Questions and Reflections
 What are some factors one should take into consideration when teaching complex
ideas or skills to children of different developmental ages and of varying stages of
developmental moralities?
 How should a teacher go about teaching the Heinz dilemma and discuss differences
between different students?
 How might gender roles play a difference in students responses to the Heinz
dilemma?

7. Questions and Reflections
 What are some factors one should take into consideration when teaching complex
ideas or skills to children of different developmental ages and of varying stages of
developmental moralities?
 How should a teacher go about teaching the Heinz dilemma and discuss differences
between different students?
 How might gender roles play a difference in students responses to the Heinz
dilemma?