They’re saying that most laws are written and enforced by the majority, and if the minority is forced to obey, it is an unjust law. Therefore, they believed that if a law is unjust, a citizen could break the law, if they thought it was right. For instance, Thoreau was arrested for refusing to pay his poll tax, because it funded slavery and the War on Mexico, which he despised, and King’s arrestment for parading around without a permit. Provided, Thoreau gives three means
The goal in going to prison is making the unfair laws public and calling more attention to them. Thoreau speaks out on how important it is to protest these unfair laws and how breaking them is a form of protest. In Letter From a Birmingham Prison, King writes about how he was arrested for peaceful protest. He was protesting the unfair laws and treatment against African Americans.
Just laws are morally right laws that make everyone feel equal. Just laws are made to act as the upright laws of God. “A just law is a man-made code that squares with the moral
Some citizens might argue how people always break everyday laws because everyone else does it. In “A Red Light for Scofflaws” , written by Trippett, states “You’re a fool if you obey the rules”. This quote is
Civil Disobedience In the dictionary civil disobedience is the refusal to comply with certain laws or to pay taxes and fines, as a peaceful form of political protest, but Thoreau and Martin Luther King have their own beliefs to civil disobedience. In Thoreau’s “Civil Disobedience” he writes about the need to prioritize one’s conscience over the dictates of laws. Martin Luther King uses civil disobedience as something that effectuates change in the government. Both Thoreau and Martin Luther King has similar yet different perspectives on civil disobedience.
Additionally, Thoreau believes that one should break the law “if it is of such a nature that it requires you to be the agent of injustice to another”, meaning that if the government uses you as a tool to bring inequality towards others and yourself, that is when a law should be broken (Thoreau 946). Furthermore, he states that, “Under a government which imprisons any unjustly, the true place for a just man is also a prison”, this states that if the government
Martin Luther King Jr once stated, “One has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws.” in his Letter from Birmingham Jail in 1963. He was invoking the principle of civil disobedience. He wasn't justifying breaking laws just because, but instead, meant that you break the law and accept your punishment, in hopes that people will come to see that the law is unethical. Civil disobedience plays an important role in how our society has been shaped up until this point.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in his “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” defines a just law as “a man-made code that squares with the moral law or the law of God” (16). I believe this to be a good definition because these don't discriminate and pull people apart. He defines an unjust law as “a code that is out of harmony with the moral law”(16). Though I do agree with this definition, I more agree with St. Thomas Aquinas, (a prominent medieval philosopher and theologian known for his synthesis of Christian theology with Aristotelian philosophy, which had a profound influence on Western thought). Dr King quoted Aquinas when he said “An unjust law is a human law that is not rooted in eternal law and natural law”(16).
Individuals lay the foundation of America. The Founding Fathers of this unique nation broke their allegiance with Great Britain to create an improved governing body. They desired an individual-centered authority as opposed to Britain’s monarchy, which ruled with tyranny. These Founding Fathers experienced a neglectful democratic monarchy that cared little about the ethical treatment of its people. The domineering actions of Britain challenged these historic individuals to form a new cultural identity.
Henry David Thoreau, writes the literary work “Resistance to Civil Government.” Thoreau’s rationale for civil disobedience with the justification for breaking the law came from his strong anti-government, and individualist attitude. Thoreau felt that it was the individual man which moved the country forward and that would happen even if there was no government. (Thoreau 965). Thoreau was for civil disobedience when the government was unjust, and during his time could find many faults with the government.
Luther King Jr., a social activist from the 50s, stated that, “Human injustice is caused by the fear of what is different. Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere,” (Quotes About Injustice, Goodreads). Throughout several instances around the world, it is obvious that unjust behaviours were taking place and often, this had a significant impact on the writing from authors during that time. Ideas of revenge, disregard, social responsibility, as well as the act of making change and taking accountability for ones actions have all presented themselves through thematic morals in writing. It starts off with a man who is consumed by his ambition of science with the motive to bringing the dead back to
When addressing the difference between just and unjust laws for the clergymen Martin Luther King Jr. stated, A just law is man-made code that squares with the mora law or the law of God. An unjust law is a code that is out of harmony with the moral law. To put it in the terms of Saint Thomas Aquinas, an unjust law is a human law that is not rooted in eternal and natural law.
Because in a true democracy, it is the responsibility of the citizens to disobey the laws that aren’t truly aiding in the progressive nature of society. A democracy can’t be effective without active participation. With that, Martin Luther King Jr.’s Letter from Birmingham Jail is a cornerstone in how we should approach the discussion of whether it is or isn’t reasonable to disobey a law. King agrees with St. Augustine in that “an unjust law is no law at all.” This enforces the idea that an unjust law is virtually not present because it is inevitably meant to be broken.
One reason is if you obey an unjust law, then you are unjust yourself. This is invalid given that disobeying any law makes you unjust. Also, Socrates explains to Crito that what the majority thinks “cannot make a man either wise or foolish, but they inflict things haphazardly” (Crito 47). What the majority thinks is not always the right thing. People are influenced by others who disobey the law which can eventually lead up to anarchy, so why would you want to disobey a law?
What I will explain to you in this article will, how we are connected with the law and I hope, make you see sense in the importance of our laws in the society we live in. To be against the importance of laws in our society would show one to be ignorant and naïve. I encounter the law on a daily basis when I am driving. I have to follow the speed limit of each road, I have to signal before changing lanes, my vehicle must be in good condition in order to safely drive and I must obey all road signs as they are set in place to ensure the safety of everybody.
