Question

David wants to go to a concert with a few of his friends. He asks his mom for permission, who says" If you save up enough money for the ticket, you can go." A few days before the concert, David's mom listen to the band's CD and is shocked by the lyrics. She tell David, "This is nothing but vile profanity, and you are not going to that concert!" David decides to go to the concert anyway and tells his mom that he will be studying at a friend's house that night. Did David do the right thing? Which of the following responses best represent reasoning from the postconventional level?

A. I think that David make the right choice. He and his mom made a deal and, unless there was some risk of actual physical danger, that should be honored
B. No he didn't. David should have listened to his mom because he'll probably get grounded
C. David make the right call. Most of his friends would probably have done the same thing, and David wouldn't want to let them down by not going

Answer 1

David's decision to attend the concert can be interpreted through Kohlberg's stages of moral development, with a postconventional argument focusing on abstract ethical principles such as contractual commitments and personal autonomy over social norms or legality.

Step-by-step explanation:

The situation with David and his mom reflects a complex moral dilemma that can be analyzed through the lens of Kohlberg's stages of moral development. The question is not whether David was right or wrong to go to the concert against his mother's wishes, but rather, what level of moral reasoning he used to make his decision. The postconventional level of reasoning, according to Kohlberg, involves abstract thinking about morality and a recognition that legality and morality are not always aligned. A postconventional response would likely look beyond personal consequences, social norms, or the legality of the action, and instead focus on ethical principles and the balance of contractual commitments against the harm potentially caused by the language of the lyrics.

A response at the postconventional level might argue that David's decision could be seen as right if he believed honouring his agreement with his mother (to save money for the ticket) carried more moral weight than obeying her subsequent command, which could be seen as infringing on his personal autonomy or right to experience and interpret art for himself. Additionally, if David concluded that the impact of the music's lyrics on him would be negligible, he might prioritize his previous commitment and autonomy over the change in his mother's stance based on her subjective assessment of the band's content.