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Heinz Case Study

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Transcript

Case study

case study: The HEINZ's DILEMMA

background of the case study

SUBJECT

  • The developmental stages of ethical reasoning

An ethical dilemma that Kohlberg used in his original research was the Heinz's Dilemma: Heinz Steals the Drug in Europe.

case study: The HEINZ's DILEMMA

Case

A woman was near death from a special kind of cancer. There was one drug that the doctors thought might save her. It was a form of radium that a druggist in the same town had recently discovered. The drug was expensive to make, but the druggist was charging ten times what the drug cost him to produce. He paid $200 for the radium and charged $2,000 for a small dose of the drug. The sick woman's husband, Heinz, went to everyone he knew to borrow the money, but he could only get together about $ 1,000, which is half of what it cost. He told the druggist that his wife was dying and asked him to sell it cheaper or let him pay later. But the druggist said, "No, I discovered the drug and I'm going to make money from it." So, Heinz got desperate and broke into the man's store to steal the drug for his wife.

case study: The HEINZ's DILEMMA

Question 1

What is an ethical dilemma?

A moral principle that govern a person's behavior or the conducting of an activity.

Situations that are uncomfortable but that don't require a choice.

A situation in which a difficult choice has to be made between two courses of action, either of which violates or compromises a moral principle.

case study: The HEINZ's DILEMMA

Question 2

Heinz faced an ethical dilemma from the scenario shown earlier; what do you think his dilemma was?

Rights-Based Dilemma

Moral vs. Legal Dilemma

Heinz is desperate to save his wife's life, and he believes that this newly discovered drug is her only chance of survival.

Utilitarian Dilemma

Duty-Based Dilemma

Heinz is desperate to save his wife's life, and he believes that this newly discovered drug is her only chance of survival.

Heinz is desperate to save his wife's life, and he believes that this newly discovered drug is her only chance of survival.

case study: The HEINZ's DILEMMA

Moral vs. Legal Dilemma

Heinz must decide between the moral duty to save his wife's life, which involves stealing the drug, and the legal duty to respect property rights and obey the law, which prohibits theft.

case study: The HEINZ's DILEMMA

Rights-Based Dilemma

This dilemma involves conflicting rights. On one hand, there is the right to life, as Heinz's wife's life is at stake. On the other hand, there is the druggist's property rights, as he owns the drug. Heinz must weigh these rights against each other.

Heinz is desperate to save his wife's life, and he believes that this newly discovered drug is her only chance of survival.

case study: The HEINZ's DILEMMA

Utilitarian Dilemma

Heinz must weigh the potential outcomes of his choice. Stealing the drug may benefit Heinz becuase saving his wife's life will make him happy, but it could harm the druggist because his livelihood will be negatively affected by Heinz's action.

Heinz is desperate to save his wife's life, and he believes that this newly discovered drug is her only chance of survival.

case study: The HEINZ's DILEMMA

Duty-Based Dilemma

Heinz has a duty to save his wife's life as her husband and caretaker, but he also has a duty to respect the law and uphold societal rules. He must decide which duty takes precedence in this situation.

Heinz is desperate to save his wife's life, and he believes that this newly discovered drug is her only chance of survival.

Heinz is desperate to save his wife's life, and he believes that this newly discovered drug is her only chance of survival.

case study: The HEINZ's DILEMMA

Question 3

If you were in Heinz’s place, what would you do and why?

I would steal the medicine because my spouse expects it. I want to be a good partner..

I would not steal the medicine because I don’t want to be put in prison.

I would steal the medicine because I would be much happier if I could save my spouse’s life, even if I will have to serve a prison sentence.

I would steal the medicine because everyone has a right to choose life, regardless of the law.

I would not steal the medicine. I would explore other alternatives. Before resorting to theft, I would exhaust all possible alternatives. This might involve reaching out to friends, family, or charitable organizations to help raise the necessary funds.

I would steal the medicine because saving a human life (my spouse’s life) is a more fundamental value than the property rights of another person (the druggist’s medicine).

I would not steal the medicine because the law prohibits stealing, making it illegal.

case study: The HEINZ's DILEMMA

Question 4

Based on your answer to question 3, which of Kohlbergs stages would you place yourself in?

Level 2—Conventional Interpersonal accord and conformity (stage 3)

Level 3—Post Conventional Social contract orientation (stage 5)

Level 1—Pre Conventional Obedience and punishment (stage 1)

Level 3—Post Conventional Universal ethical pronciples (stage 6)

Level 2—Conventional Authority and social order maintaining orientation (stage 4)

Level 1—Pre Conventional Self interest (stage 2)

case study: The HEINZ's DILEMMA

Question 4

Based on your answer to question 3, which of Kohlbergs stages would you place yourself in?

Level 2—Conventional Interpersonal accord and conformity (stage 3)

Level 3—Post Conventional Social contract orientation (stage 5)

Level 1—Pre Conventional Obedience and punishment (stage 1)

Level 2—Conventional Authority and social order maintaining orientation (stage 4)

Level 3—Post Conventional Universal ethical pronciples (stage 6)

Level 1—Pre Conventional Self interest (stage 2)

case study: The HEINZ's DILEMMA

Question 4

Based on your answer to question 3, which of Kohlbergs stages would you place yourself in?

Level 3—Post Conventional Social contract orientation (stage 5)

Level 2—Conventional Interpersonal accord and conformity (stage 3)

Level 1—Pre Conventional Obedience and punishment (stage 1)

Level 3—Post Conventional Universal ethical pronciples (stage 6)

Level 2—Conventional Authority and social order maintaining orientation (stage 4)

Level 1—Pre Conventional Self interest (stage 2)

case study: The HEINZ's DILEMMA

Question 4

Based on your answer to question 3, which of Kohlbergs stages would you place yourself in?

Level 2—Conventional Interpersonal accord and conformity (stage 3)

Level 3—Post Conventional Social contract orientation (stage 5)

Level 1—Pre Conventional Obedience and punishment (stage 1)

Level 2—Conventional Authority and social order maintaining orientation (stage 4)

Level 1—Pre Conventional Self interest (stage 2)

Level 3—Post Conventional Universal ethical pronciples (stage 6)

case study: The HEINZ's DILEMMA

Question 4

Based on your answer to question 3, which of Kohlbergs stages would you place yourself in?

Level 2—Conventional Interpersonal accord and conformity (stage 3)

Level 3—Post Conventional Social contract orientation (stage 5)

Level 1—Pre Conventional Obedience and punishment (stage 1)

Level 2—Conventional Authority and social order maintaining orientation (stage 4)

Level 3—Post Conventional Universal ethical pronciples (stage 6)

Level 1—Pre Conventional Self interest (stage 2)

case study: The HEINZ's DILEMMA

Question 4

Based on your answer to question 3, which of Kohlbergs stages would you place yourself in?

Level 3—Post Conventional Social contract orientation (stage 5)

Level 1—Pre Conventional Obedience and punishment (stage 1)

Level 2—Conventional Interpersonal accord and conformity (stage 3)

Level 3—Post Conventional Universal ethical pronciples (stage 6)

Level 1—Pre Conventional Self interest (stage 2)

Level 2—Conventional Authority and social order maintaining orientation (stage 4)

case study: The HEINZ's DILEMMA

Question 4

Based on your answer to question 3, which of Kohlbergs stages would you place yourself in?

Level 2—Conventional Interpersonal accord and conformity (stage 3)

Level 3—Post Conventional Social contract orientation (stage 5)

Level 1—Pre Conventional Obedience and punishment (stage 1)

Level 3—Post Conventional Universal ethical pronciples (stage 6)

Level 2—Conventional Authority and social order maintaining orientation (stage 4)

Level 1—Pre Conventional Self interest (stage 2)

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GREAT JOB!

MOVE ON TO THE NEXT QUESTION

GREAT JOB!

MOVE ON TO THE NEXT QUESTION
case study: The HEINZ's DILEMMA

Stage 6

In stage 6, moral reasoning is based on abstract reasoning using universal ethical principles. Laws are valid only insofar as they are grounded in justice, and a commitment to justice carries with it an obligation to disobey unjust laws. In this stage an actions is never a means but always an end in itself; the individual acts because it is right, and not because it avoids punishment, is in their best interest, expected, legal, or previously agreed upon.

Heinz is desperate to save his wife's life, and he believes that this newly discovered drug is her only chance of survival.

Heinz is desperate to save his wife's life, and he believes that this newly discovered drug is her only chance of survival.

case study: The HEINZ's DILEMMA

Stage 5

In stage 5, the world is viewed as holding different opinions, rights, and values. Such perspectives should be mutually respected as unique to each person or community. Laws are regarded as social contracts rather than rigid edicts. Those that do not promote the general welfare should be changed when necessary to/that meet "the greatest good for the greatest number of people".

Heinz is desperate to save his wife's life, and he believes that this newly discovered drug is her only chance of survival.

Heinz is desperate to save his wife's life, and he believes that this newly discovered drug is her only chance of survival.

case study: The HEINZ's DILEMMA

Stage 4

In stage 4 it is important to obey laws and social conventions because of their importance in maintaining a functioning society. Moral reasoning in stage four is thus beyond the need for individual approval exhibited in stage three. A central ideal or ideals often prescribe what is right and wrong. If one person violates a law, perhaps everyone would—thus there is an obligation and a duty to uphold laws and rules.

Heinz is desperate to save his wife's life, and he believes that this newly discovered drug is her only chance of survival.

Heinz is desperate to save his wife's life, and he believes that this newly discovered drug is her only chance of survival.

case study: The HEINZ's DILEMMA

Stage 3

In stage 3 the self enters society by conforming to social standards. Individuals are receptive to approval or disapproval from others as it reflects society's views. They try to be a "good boy" or "good girl" to live up to these expectations, having learned that being regarded as good benefits the self.

Heinz is desperate to save his wife's life, and he believes that this newly discovered drug is her only chance of survival.

Heinz is desperate to save his wife's life, and he believes that this newly discovered drug is her only chance of survival.

case study: The HEINZ's DILEMMA

Stage 2

Stage 2 expresses the "what's in it for me" position, in which right behavior is defined by whatever the individual believes to be in their best interest, or whatever is "convenient," but understood in a narrow way which does not consider one's reputation or relationships to groups of people. Stage two reasoning shows a limited interest in the needs of others, but only to a point where it might further the individual's own interests.

Heinz is desperate to save his wife's life, and he believes that this newly discovered drug is her only chance of survival.

Heinz is desperate to save his wife's life, and he believes that this newly discovered drug is her only chance of survival.

case study: The HEINZ's DILEMMA

Stage 1

In stage 1 individuals focus on the direct consequences of their actions on themselves. For example, an action is perceived as morally wrong because the perpetrator faces punishment.

Heinz is desperate to save his wife's life, and he believes that this newly discovered drug is her only chance of survival.

Heinz is desperate to save his wife's life, and he believes that this newly discovered drug is her only chance of survival.

GREAT JOB!

You have gone through the heinz dilemma case successfully!