The Heinz dilemma is a frequently used example in many ethics and morality classes.
One well-known version of the dilemma, used in Lawrence Kohlberg's stages of moral development, is stated as follows:[1] A woman was on her deathbed.
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.
Kohlberg's theory holds that the justification the participant offers is what is significant, the form of their response.