Heinz’s Dilemma

Heinz was correct in breaking into the laboratory and stealing the drug. If we
analyze it through the Kohlberg’s moral development framework, I can see that
the action of Heinz is right.
Kohlberg’s theory has 3 stages:
1. Pre- conventional
2. Conventional
3. Post conventional
Based on the decision a person takes, they are grouped in different stages
indicating what drove them to take the decision.

Pre-conventional Level: Heinz tried to convince the druggist to pay the amount
when he had the remaining amount available to him, but the druggist refused
even though it was a matter of someone’s life.
Conventional Level: It conforms to the expectations of being a good husband,
also his wife must be expecting him to do all that he can to save her life. He must
accept the punishment that is meted out to him by the authorities for stealing the
drug and pay the druggist whatever is owed.
Post-Conventional: Saving the life of anyone is one of the biggest ethical duty of a
human being irrespective of the relation. The druggist is in the wrong here as he is
only thinking as a businessman and not thinking about the value of a human life
and therefore, Heinz is not wrong here.
So, all the three levels of Kohlberg’s model tell us that Heinz is correct in stealing
from the druggist. Although this is also true that he must mete out the
appropriate punishment for his deed.