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?

This is a topic in which I have mixed feelings about.I personally do not like the sound of the word civil disobedience. This reminds me of telling a child, throw a tantrum if you like, but watch it or ill beat you down. What’s the point of protesting? Is that going to change anything? Do people think that the government is listening? I do think so. I believe this is the main reason in which protests mostly get violent sooner rather than later. Although I disagree with the sound of it and how it makes me feel, if we didn’t have such of law, I can’t imagine the damage that we as people would bring to ourselves and society. In my views, I can definitely relate to protesters simply because when I’m complaining about something and I’m being ignored, and feel that my efforts aren’t going anywhere, I would get upset too. To be honest, I do not think that I can answer the question in what cases if any I would use civil disobedience, maybe that’s why I have never protested or wouldn’t even considered it.