What does the Heinz dilemma test in Kohlberg's theory?

The Heinz dilemma is a pivotal illustration in Lawrence Kohlberg's theory of moral development, specifically aimed at assessing levels of moral reasoning. In this ethical dilemma, a character named Heinz faces the decision of whether to steal a drug to save his wife's life, prompting individuals to contemplate the moral ramifications of their choices. The responses to this dilemma serve as a reflection of an individual's stage in Kohlberg's framework, which consists of three main levels: pre-conventional, conventional, and post-conventional morality.

Through assessment of responses to the Heinz dilemma, it becomes clear how individuals prioritize values such as authority, social contracts, and universal ethical principles. The way a person navigates the dilemma reveals insights into their moral reasoning processes, indicating whether they base their decisions on consequences, social norms, or broader ethical principles. This makes the Heinz dilemma a crucial tool for understanding the complexity of moral development as articulated by Kohlberg.