Unjust Laws Essay

argues that an “an unjust law is no law at all.” (Aquinas in Dimock, ed., 2002, p.19) However, Aquinas also acknowledges that a human lawgiver may promulgate a command that has the form of law, and is enforced like a law, yet is unjust. This observation leads to the realization that these are two inconsistent claims. Yet Aquinas believes that these inconstancies can be reconciled. In Aquinas’ view an unjust law is not a law but yet is also able to be issued as law and imposed as law. Throughout the

understanding of just and unjust laws. Therefore king is very conscientious when he addresses the issue of obeying laws, I agree with his assertion of just and unjust laws, because you have to understand what laws do not conflict with God given rights for them to be morally correct. From here on King’s assertions on just and unjust laws create a mindset where you tend to agree. His explanation showed that he had no problem following laws but when laws are used

Convicted For Living? Do we have an obligation to obey any law, no matter how unjust or evil, provided only that it is in fact a valid rule of the legal system in which we happen to be physically located? In the following composition, I am going to examine the answer to this question in accordance to what Socrates believes. The best way to understand this almost “WWSD” (What Would Socrates Do) approach is by looking at Socrates' actions in the three Platonic dialogues we have read. These dialogues

Law is a system of rules that are enforced by credible institutions to maintain societal order. This usually happens through the legislative process. The law can take different forms such as binding precedents and contracts. Each individual in society is not immune to the rule of law. A law can be defined as just or unjust. Many believe a just law is a mirror of moral law, which enhances or secures the freedom of the individual. An unjust law takes away freedom, causes harm, and enhances chaos

Are we morally obliged to obey even unjust laws? This moral question addresses what we commonly know as civil disobedience. In order to properly discuss civil disobedience and whether or not it is moral to disobey laws, we must first characterize civil disobedience. In Peter Singer's book, Practical Ethics he begins to characterize civil disobedience as arising from "ethical disagreement" and raising the question of whether "to uphold the law, even if the law protects and sanctions things we hold

In society, the law is broken daily by thousands of different people from different social classes, races, and genders. For many, they deserve to be reprimanded. However, our justice system has put in place many unjust laws that have incarcerated many innocent people. This begs the question of whether or not a law is just or unjust. When reading Antigone and learning about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., we see how people are treated when they simply try to fight for justice and for their beliefs. Many

rebuttal to eight religious leaders in the South who voiced caution and concern for his movement. In this letter, he voiced two main points; the push for civil rights requires great haste, and that unjust laws are can be broken in their chase for equality. As Dr. King quotes St. Augustine, “an unjust law is no law at all.” In his letter, Dr. King states that the wait for racial equality is over. He says that he is tired of sitting in poverty in the midst of a nation with a flourishing economy. He says

There are times when all of us feel that a certain law is not right and should be changed or demolished. Thomas Jefferson once said that “if a law is unjust, a man is not only right to disobey it. He is obligated to do so.” This is true because one, if we followed every law our government gives us the United States would not become one of the most powerful country in the world and still belong to the UK. My second reason this is true is because some laws are utterly ridiculous such as if you cut down

Unjust laws are laws that do not follow the code of higher morality. Most unjust laws degrade human personalities and qualities. Since the 1980s, the American culture has dealt with a huge deal of unjust laws within the Criminal Justice System. One of the current examples that continues to take place is Racism with the “War on Drugs Policy.” King’s criteria of unjust laws deals with the idea of segregation amongst the minority versus the majority. Today and even back then, African American and Hispanic

in the United Sates. These are laws created and enforced by legal authorities to safeguard order, justice, and security in society. Laws help mediate the relationship people and groups have with one another, and outlines a general code of conduct, defining what good law-abiding citizens ought to do, according to society. Laws are universally applicable, and carry with them certain punishments and restrictions for violations or misuse. In places where laws either do not exist or are minimally