In Europe, a woman was near death from a special kind of cancer. There was one drug that doctors thought might save her. It was a form of radium that a druggist in the same town had recently discovered. The drug was expensive to make, but the druggist was charging ten times what the drug cost him to make. He paid $4,000 for the radium and charged $40,000 for a small dose of the drug. The sick woman’s husband, Heinz, went to everyone he knew to borrow the money and tried every legal means, but he could only get together about $10,000, which was a quarter of the cost. HE told the druggist that his wife was dying and asked him to sell it cheaper or let him pay later. But the druggist said, “No, I discovered the drug and I’m going to make money on it.” So having tried every legal means, Heinz gets desperate and considers breaking into the man’s store to steal the drug for his wife. Should Heinz steal the drug for his wife?

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In Europe, a woman was near death from a special kind of cancer. There was one drug that doctors thought might save her. It was a form of radium that a druggist in the same town had recently discovered. The drug was expensive to make, but the druggist was charging ten times what the drug cost him to make. He paid $4,000 for the radium and charged $40,000 for a small dose of the drug. The sick woman’s husband, Heinz, went to everyone he knew to borrow the money and tried every legal means, but he could only get together about $10,000, which was a quarter of the cost. HE told the druggist

that his wife was dying and asked him to sell it cheaper or let him pay later. But the druggist said, “No, I discovered the drug and I’m going to make money on it.” So having tried every legal means, Heinz gets desperate and considers breaking into the man’s store to steal the drug for his wife. Should Heinz steal the drug for his wife?

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Asked 2/1/2009 7:49:18 AM

Updated 3/20/2024 8:00:05 AM

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User: In Europe, a woman was near death from a special kind of cancer. There was one drug that doctors thought might save her. It was a form of radium that a druggist in the same town had recently discovered. The drug was expensive to make, but the druggist was charging ten times what the drug cost him to make. He paid $4,000 for the radium and charged $40,000 for a small dose of the drug. The sick woman’s husband, Heinz, went to everyone he knew to borrow the money and tried every legal means, but he could only get together about $10,000, which was a quarter of the cost. HE told the druggist that his wife was dying and asked him to sell it cheaper or let him pay later. But the druggist said, “No, I discovered the drug and I’m going to make money on it.” So having tried every legal means, Heinz gets desperate and considers breaking into the man’s store to steal the drug for his wife. Should Heinz steal the drug for his wife?

Weegy: I would normally say that theft is not something I would even consider but under the circumstances if this was a means to save his wife, and teh act that the druggist is obviously evil, I would say yes, he should. [ Having said that, he would probably have to face a fine of some proportions but as a human being with a good heart I can't say I would disagree with the woman's husband ]
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Asked 2/1/2009 7:49:18 AM

Updated 3/20/2024 8:00:05 AM

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The scenario you presented is known as the "Heinz dilemma," a classic ethical dilemma often used in moral psychology and ethics education. The dilemma explores the conflict between personal values and societal laws. Whether Heinz should steal the drug for his wife depends on one's ethical perspective and reasoning. Some might argue that saving a life justifies breaking the law, while others might emphasize the importance of respecting property rights and legal systems.

Added 3/20/2024 7:59:41 AM

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