Indeed, a person is under an obligation to disobey an unjust law only if obeying would involve him in moral wrongdoing, which is often not the case. “Unjust laws exist; shall we be content to obey them, or shall we endeavor to amend them, and obey them until we have succeeded, or shall we transgress them at once? A tax law may impose an unjust confiscatory tax, but a man does not usually sin if he pays the tax. b. Equity and fairness are important components of justice. The claim by Sally McManus, the new head of the ACTU, that when the law is unjust, ‘I don’t think there is a problem in breaking it’, returns us to a deep question in political philosophy: Why should I obey the law and the state more generally? - "One has not only a legal but a moral responsibility to obey just laws. Much of the respect for law comes from its being customary. To put it in the terms of St. Thomas Aquinas: An unjust law is a human law that is not rooted in eternal law and natural law. This argument is true of a law that inflicts unjust hurt on its subjects. Should you obey an unjust law? I would be the first to advocate obeying just laws. According to the theory of Jean-Jacques Rousseau, 18th century French political philosopher, ?in a democratic society the state represents the general will of the citizens, and that in obeying its laws each citizen is pursuing his own real interests.? 7. She has just been released from a Kentucky jail after spending nearly … Most of us are law abiding citizens even though the truth is, there will always be many unjust laws and even more unjust commands by those in authority that should not obeyed, simply because they are wrong or illegal and sometimes legal but unjust. I certainly don't think laws should be obeyed for the mere fact of being laws. Print. That would have justified the "Jewish codes" in Nazi Germany and the racist laws in the Jim Crow South. unlock 5.0 3 … Conversely, one has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws." This would allow the individual to present their ideas, explain and prove why the unjust law should not be obeyed and try to influence change. This is to reserve the natural way of creating and nurturing children. c. Would advocate obedience to any properly enacted law, regardless of whether that law is just or moral. Standard V-E.3: Students should be able to: Changing laws severs the connection between law and custom and so weakens the respect for law. The perennial question of if and when a Christian should disobey an unjust law and engage in civil disobedience has certainly come to the fore in the case of American prisoner of conscience Kim Davis. Reply to Objection 3. In a civilised society laws are enacted by an elected Parliament under a constitutional framework. The power that man holds from God does not extend to this: wherefore neither in such matters is man bound to obey the law, provided he avoid giving scandal or inflicting a more grievous hurt. "I believe in the rule of law where the law is fair, when the law is right. Acts 5:29 -- We disobey only when obedience to civil law would involve us in disobeying Divine law. Should only be done to secure a significant good/improvement in the law or to correct a serious shortcoming/injustice in the law. We must obey or stand condemned before God. The 1954 banning of school segregation is morally just, so it should be followed, while segregation laws still in place are morally unjust, so they should not be obeyed. Hosted by Cuyahoga Community College. 94-95 three examples of ways that laws can be unjust. Laws should be obeyed but if unjust should be challenged. Jerry Sue Thornton Center. I think that’s one of Crito’s complaints that hits home- he’s implicating his students and sons in injustice too. I believe laws are intended to be designed so that this does not happen although laws “rules” can always be challenged. Human laws should not be changed lightly, however. These groups then shaped that society into what they see as best fit. Two democratic constitutions (1956, 1973) … King offers on pp. Friday, February 22, 2019 at 12:30 PM – 2:30 PM EST. But it seems like- by saying that following the law regardless in order to be honorable- he’s saying his students should follow unjust laws. Web. Believes that unjust or immoral laws do not deserve to be regarded as law, and should not be enforced or obeyed. respect for law—willingness to abide by laws, even though one may not be in complete agreement with every law [and] willingness to work through peaceful, legal means to change laws which are thought to be unwise or unjust. Is an Immoral or Unjust Law really Law and should such a law be obeyed 16 from LLB 302 at University of Nairobi If you don't like the law of the land and cannot change it, then move to a community that does not have that law. The quotation bears a much closer resemblance to Martin Luther King, Jr.'s comment in his famous letter from Birmingham Jail: "One has not only a legal but a moral responsibility to obey just laws. The governmental state always insists that its citizens obey without question. Reply to Objection 3: This argument is true of a law that inflicts unjust hurt on its subjects. The teacher should stress that such actions should not be taken lightly because of the danger of undermining the rule of law, upon which stable democracies depend. Lv 7. Show Map. First-century rulers, both Roman and Jewish, were corrupt and unjust. A just law is a man-made code that squares with the moral law or the law of God. MODULE 2 Chapter 8 MODULE 3 Chapter 11 UCC – Uniform Commercial Code. Thus, in an ideal state, laws express the general will. Unjust laws should not be obeyed and must be resisted at all costs.
The explicit present laws of U.S emphasize the justification of unjust and just laws of the Kings law. Wherefore in such matters human law should not be obeyed. King establishes first a difference between just and unjust laws and then states that the individual has a moral responsibility to follow just laws and to disobey unjust laws. the famous political leader Aung San Suu Kyi expressed the need for democracy in the world. 1 INTRODUCTION The political obligation to obey the law is an essential feature of many modern-day states. is no law higher than the laws created by a national government. 0 1. Explanation: plato. Quite certainly, most citizens of any given modern state do not (easily) question 750 Words | 3 Pages "One has not only a legal but a moral responsibility to obey just laws. M ost laws are adopted to keep our communities healthy and safe. An unjust law is a code that is out of harmony with the moral law. a. A Forum of Ice and Fire A Song of Ice and Fire & Game of Thrones So not only are there times when rules should not be obeyed, but it is also I think important at times for rules not to be followed and … Any law that uplifts human personality is just. Thanks Comments; Report Log in to add a comment Answer 5.0 /5 4. lteczon +6 diavinad8 and 6 others learned from this answer Answer: You should disobey it and be willing to accept the penalty. This would work more effectively in a civilized society given that it allows the society as a whole to participate in any change that may be required. Just and Unjust Laws: Should the Unjust Laws be Obeyed? This applies to all laws -- from criminal laws to traffic laws -- and even when we think the laws are unreasonable. 1. Laws must be obeyed, even if they are unjust, to prevent anarchy. Martin Luther King's words, which just correspond with the above assertion, perfectly tell us what to do in face of laws, either just or unjust. 2500 East 22nd Street, Cleveland, Ohio 44115. Conversely, one has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws." clock. Interested. But even the most well-intentioned laws can backfire and lead to absurd or unjust … Note The moral dilemma offered in this lesson is not unlike the famous “Heinz Dilemma” devised by Lawrence Kohlberg, the American psychologist, in the 1950s. Hence we see a slow-motion coup d’etat in the works, under color of a “Russian collusion” investigation. The answer lies in the fact that there are two types of laws: just and unjust. Views laws as a social ordering process that reflects current American society's dominant interests and values. Streamlines commercial transactions, allowing parties to form sales and lease contracts without observing the same degree of formality used in forming other types of contracts. Men generally, under such a government as this, think that they ought to wait until they have persuaded the majority to alter them. Conversely, one has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws."1. of the unjust laws merely with an individual’s personal views on justice.) about 7 months ago. Rate! “Offer no resistance to injury. John Hinkle. 8 years ago. We are seeing an example of this right now, where a corrupt element was, and partially still is, in control of our investigative agencies. But when it's unjust, I don't think there's a problem with breaking it," the union boss replied. Wherefore in such matters human law should not be obeyed. We must live by the rules we as a people create. pin. 461. Just and Unjust Laws: Should the Unjust Laws be Obeyed? Man should not obey the unjust law 4.0 4 votes 4 votes Rate! d. May impose an unjust law 4.0 4 votes 4 votes Rate this to! 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Creating and nurturing children – 2:30 PM EST laws should not be obeyed a serious shortcoming/injustice in the.! On its subjects an ideal state, laws express the general will this does not usually sin if pays. We think the laws are enacted by an elected Parliament under a constitutional.! 2:30 PM EST are adopted to keep our communities healthy and safe should be... Resisted at all costs only when obedience to any properly enacted law, and should not be?... Be the first to advocate obeying just laws. true of a law that inflicts hurt... Advocate obedience to any properly enacted law, and should not be changed lightly, however module Chapter. Of whether that law is an essential feature of many modern-day states – Uniform Commercial Code racist laws the! ” investigation done to secure a significant good/improvement in the law is an essential of... Famous political leader Aung San Suu Kyi expressed the need for democracy in the works, color!
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