Question

Kohlberg's Three Levels of Morality

This week’s lecture focused on moral development and ethical reasoning. As part of your readings for the week, Kohlberg’s three levels of morality were discussed. How would you have answered Heinz’s dilemma? (See readings for the week for the full dilemma). Which of Kohlberg’s three levels of morality do you feel you are in? Do you feel you are in a different level of morality in different settings (i.e. work vs. personal life?) How has your morality (if it has) progressed from your adolescence?

Your work should be at least 500 words, but mostly draw from your own personal experience. This should be written in first person and give examples from your life. Be sure if you are using information from the readings that you properly cite your readings in this, and in all assignments

Please no plagiarism!!!!!!!!!

Answer 1

I would answer Heinz dilemma as given below:

Heinz had to save someone he loved and who was part of his life. He had stolen the drug to save a life. Heinz did try to arrange money to buy the drug and as well asked the chemist if he could repay the remaining amount later. If Heinz has stolen the drug that was to save someone and he did nothing wrong. It was not wrong for Heinz to steal the drug as he had tried other means. It would have been very late for him to save his wife if he had opted for legal procedure to get the drug. If Heinz would not love his wife he would not bother to save her life by stealing the drug. He might as well have tried getting the drug if it was just his wife but he would not have tried hard enough to save her. If it was a stranger dying then Heinz should go and report to the police or NGO and see if they can help the stranger. It is illegal to steal the drug but Heinz stole it being aware of the consequences. It is not morally right to steal the drug but the chemist should have offered the drug for the amount Heinz had arranged and let him have it paid later. The police should not arrest the chemist if the lady die as it was not entirely his fault but Heinz or any other person can file a case against the chemist and get the price of the drug reduced so that it is also affordable by the low economic status population and many lives can be saved.

I feel I am in level 2 of Kohlberg's morality which consists of the stage good interpersonal relationship and maintaining the social order. When it comes to work setting I would want to be in good terms in everyone’s eyes and to be considered as a good employee. I would not break any laws by the company as I believe that the laws are laid down keeping in mind for the wellbeing of the employees. If the laws are discriminating be it in personal or professional life I would not like to follow them.

Morality during adolescence was to follow the law irrespective of it being right or wrong. During adolescence if Heinz dilemma was asked I would reply stating that it was wrong to steal the drugs whatever the situation is and one should follow law and order. Now I say that if it is an emergency then stealing the drug to save a life when no one is helping is not wrong.

One example from my personal life is when I was young it was taught that we must respect elders and everyone and one should never lie. I follow the same. But I came across some of my family members, aunt and uncles who show no respect for others. Who dominate others and insult people below them using abusive language. Though we need respect them as that is morally correct I have no respect for them nor listen to anything they say as it is against my personal values. This is one of the examples I have seen change in morality from adolescence till now.