Morals

I'll start off by repeating Heinz' dilemma, the core idea that started our talk on morality.


"Heinz' wife is dying. One special drug discovered by a local druggist might save her, but the druggist is selling it at an exorbitant price. So Heinz, after failing to borrow the money he needs, pleads with the druggist to sell the drug cheaper or let him pay later. But the druggist refuses. Should Heinz steal the drug for his wife?

This example is perfect, for there really is no correct answer, unless reality were to lie on a set of extremes, which is most often not the case. The choice between law, and what is right, and the fact that those two ideas are not always the same, is something that shows up more than once in reality. Sometimes, laws need to be changed as the ideas of what is right spring forth.

In relation to this dilemma, we were introduced to Kohlberg's levels and stages of moral development. Preconventional, Conventional, and Post Conventional moral levels all have their own set of guidelines, and different ways that they could approach Heinz' dilemma. I've decided that to see if I can truly understand those moral levels, that I'll attempt to assume what someone with that level of moral reasoning would do, if they were Heinz.

Preconventional
Punishment- Avoidance of punishment/bad things
If someone was simply trying to avoid punishment, the most likely thing that they would do would be to not steal the drug. They would not want to face the consequences of stealing it.

Hedonism- Getting something that's pleasent
Since not stealing the drug gives no reward, a person would probably steal the drug so that they could save their wife, and receive the chance that they will get better.

Conventional
"Nice Girl/Boy"- Wants to be perceived as a good person.
Stealing will most likely lead to imprisonment, which will contradict with the image of being a nice person. Their outward image would be marred, and probably leave them unable to steal the drug.

Law and Order- You obey the rules
Stealing is against the law, so you will be unable to steal the medicine.

Post Conventional
Social Contract- Don't destroy the base that holds the community together
If people to descend to the level of stealing things, it'll set a precedent of breaking the rules to get what you need, which could possibly lead to anarchy, and the chaos would destroy the order that makes things work. Even if it is for someone you love, it goes against your reasoning.

Universal Ethical- Truly revolutionary moral reasoning
Human life is worth more than physical possessions and money. Things that save life should not be allowed to be kept from those who need it. Steal the medicine, for you're doing more of a good thing than a crime.