When the basic human right to live is at stake, how do we draw the line between
what is right or wrong? In the case given, a man has to decide whether he should steal
a drug that might possibly save his dying wife. This famous moral dilemma presented by
Kohlberg revolves around whether the act of stealing is morally right given the various
reasons shown for each stages of moral development. The answer isn’t really whether
Heinz should steal the drug or not but rather focuses on the reasoning behind his act of
stealing or lack thereof. This is a case for moral judgement and such judgement puts
into account that all human beings have the right to live. If we were in Heinz’s situation,
we would’ve done the exact same thing he did. The wife has the right to live and
therefore that basic right trumps any value that the chemist sees over the drug’s
possible monetary gain. Hence, this essay will tackle the different reasoning behind
Heinz’s decision for each developmental stage and how human life must be valued
above anything else that’s inconsequential.