Week 12: Civil Disobedience

Under what conditions is it morally justified to break the law?

In what sort of cases would you endorse civil disobedience? In your answer, think about 1) how you would define the idea of an unjust or immoral law. Would you agree with St. Augustine that 'an unjust law is no law at all'? and 2) what cases (if any) would count in your view as legitimate uses of civil disobedience? For some examples, take a look at the Wikipedia article on civil disobedience.

Civil disobedience is the society’s cry for help, boundaries have to be crossed in order to get a point across.

When unjust laws and unfair laws are passed I believe it is necessary to resist and break the law. Laws that would interfere with a person’s life in a negative way would fall under this category. People who have made these laws have not considered ALL of the people and their individual situations, as to why they would need to resist these enforcements. For example two people that have been in love for ten years have established their lives with each other, made plans for their future and in that future they see a wedding for themselves to celebrate their love and unity. However the American Public has made limiting laws in which states it is legal to allow gay marriages, which means if in certain states the two same sex people can not have a wedding because of the horrific restrictions the law has enforced upon them. These laws are unjust; as every situation and every relationship is different why outlaw the people who would like to marry a same sex couple? It is ruining their chances to celebrate love and legally establish their unity.

An unjust/immoral law is anything that proves ignorance to the society and is disregarded, argued, and constantly trying to be changed but instead broken. Think of my statement any way you want, everyone will think of a different set of laws when it comes to it. However if it in anyway comes in between you and your moral beliefs then I believe it is problematic and unjust, it is simply not right.

“Unjust law is not law” is a head on statement as for me. The law was created on a basis of regulations and restrictions, limiting people’s actions in society and the public. I believe that everyone has a subconscious that knows what is right and what is wrong, no matter how strongly we agree with or deny that fact. It is a metaphysical thing that can not be explained by any list of laws that the government can enforce on us. Humans have a mind that explores the depths of right and wrong and an unjust law can trigger that part of a humans mind directing it to ignore the law for it is not right. It doesn’t sit well with individuals therefore it will be omitted and broken.

I am not a big government person myself, I believe that any law that doesn’t sit well with the public should be cautioned and fought with an act of civil disobedience. The government wants a perfect society where everyone is quiet obeys the big guys (them) and doesn’t ask questions. Everyone is flawed and whoever makes any law that doesn’t seem just to the people who make up that civilization should be disobeyed to the highest extent.