Premium Essay

Should We Be Allowed to Break the Law

In:

Submitted By pkumah
Words 647
Pages 3
Should we be allowed to break the law?

By: John Smith

For:

Date:
September 14, 2013

Philosophers, scholars, activists and judiciary officials, among others, have often concerned themselves with whether or not breaking the law can be justified. Some questions through which this query has been posed include, Should people be allowed to break the law? Should individuals be able to ignore the laws in which they do not believe? Can breaking the law ever be justified, morally or ethically?

In his situation, King discusses how many other countries are moving forward in how they develop and treat others. He criticizes the United States as they creep forward with the pace of a horse and buggy when it comes to civil rights. He discusses how those who were not while have been lynched, beaten, killed, prosecuted, turned away from and denied access to certain places and ridiculed with mean language. King and his followers supported the de-segregation laws which opened up schools to children of all colors, but broke laws that he did not agree with and, to clarify, he separated the laws into those which are just and those which are unjust. To promote his point, he quoted St. Augustine as saying, “An unjust law is no law at all,” as it is not rooted in eternal and natural law (King, 2013).

It is likely that there are situations in which breaking the law would be justifiable, as proposed by King, as well as many others. Some, such as John Rawls, have set forth guidelines to determine whether or not breaking a law would be justified. Rawls believed that there must be a clear injustice, the act of disobedience must be a public act which is both non-violent and non-threatening in nature and the perpetrator(s) must be willing to accept full responsibility, including the penalties, for acting in their proposed manner. In addition, the acts must be carried out

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Meme

...Choice We decided to open a resort in India specifically in Munnar which is located in Kerala “a state in the south-west region of India on the Malabar coast” , the number of tourists into Kerala had been increasing because of its beautiful landscapes which enjoyed by many people specially people from Middle East who don’t have these kinds of landscapes in their countries. We choose to called the resort “Kalyana’ as a result of making a business in India and it is an Indian word which means “comfort, blessed and beautiful” Reason for choosing this service is that city of Munnar is located in a beautiful mountain area where thousands of tourists come there every year to spend their holidays. There are not much resorts in that area and only one five star resort which is not enough to meet the guests need and don’t have all facilities to satisfy them and from my partner Halima’s personal experience. She saw that resorts over there have small dirty rooms and contain old stuff which is not comfortable for guests and cause them to look for other resorts in the down city to stay. So our resort will offer a various kind of services to serve our guests with fully functional facilities that they could not find in any other resorts. Political & Legal When a company starts its business internationally it should take into consideration the political and the legal situation of the country it will operate in, such as government political of that country, labor law and taxes law. Corruption...

Words: 1228 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Why Guns Should Be Illegal

...You’re in your house and you hear something downstairs you go to see and it’s a man with a gun. What do you do? That's why having guns be illegal is bad. We can't defend ourselves against other people that are going to break the law. Lee says that “Sales of guns by individuals who are not licensed firearms dealers; such transactions are sometimes exempt from gun control regulations such as required background checks” This just shows that if you are going to make people not allowed to have a gun then the people that are already breaking the law are just going to break another law and get a gun. By making guns illegal you are just making it easier for criminals to steal things. Another reason why guns shouldn’t be illegal is that it’s unconstitutional....

Words: 339 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Gun Control

...Gun control has been a hotly debated issue for decades in America. There are the people who think that guns should be more restricted or just completely outlawed and there are the people who believe that our access to weapons should remain the way it has been ever since the constitution was written. The second amendment in the Bill of Rights is our “right to bear arms” amendment, if there were more restrictions on guns then that would violate one of our rights. In a way gun control makes sense. To someone who doesn’t think about the matter clearly it would look like the perfect solution to crime. This, however, would not be the case at all. Take Canada for example, they have fairly high restrictions on guns. As a result crime has not decreased at all. In fact, crime has skyrocketed. You might be asking yourself why this is. Well, it makes perfect sense; the people who obey the law are going to give up their guns while the people who don’t care a bit about the law are going to be the only ones who have guns. They can easily break into a house and steal anything they want because they know that the law-abiding people who live inside that house aren’t going to be able to defend themselves. In America however if someone breaks into a house there is always that possibility that they could wind up getting shot. A majority people think the best solution is to “just take away their guns.” However, this has been proven not to work. England banned all guns in 1997 and as a result...

Words: 860 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Pros And Cons Of Gun Control

...Gun Control Proponents who argue about gun control believe it should be allowed because it would break the second amendment and without how can defend this nation? However, opponents claim it should not be legal because many people believe guns are simply to kill other human beings. Banning guns will be ridiculous because it will soon fail because criminal are still going to find their way to get the guns. without guns people will not be able to defend this nation in any catastrophic event. More importantly this act will interfere with the Bill of Rights. The amendment states the 2nd that we are allowed to build a militia in case of emergency, but how? Guns is the answer without them we are useless and unprotected. Opponents oppose about...

Words: 253 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Similarities Between Antigone And Martin Luther King Jr

...Jr in rhetoric Should we truly be punished for breaking laws that break moral code? According to Antigone and Martin Luther King Jr the answer appears to be no. They both defend their actions that break the rules yet favor different rhetorical devices. Throughout Antigone’s speech she seems to favor pathos to convey her reason to break a law. When explaining her actions she evokes the emotion in her audience by explaining what would have happened if she had follow the laws she would have allowed her “own mothers son to not”, then explains how it would “have been agony”, the perspective draws an emotional response that she hopes to use as empathy. When threatened death as a punishment she expresses that if she “is to die before her time” that she would “consider that a gain”. She again uses pathos to draw motion from the king by explaining that death would be worth her action. This adds a more dramatic moment which in turn causes more emotion. Unlike Antigone Martin Luther King Jr uses logic through logos to make his argument after being called an “extremist” he explains this is not always a bad thing....

Words: 440 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Why Is Public Safety Important

...while maintaining personal freedom. We are moving towards a more secure system with less government involvement, allowing more people to get away with crimes. Although we strive for protection, is freedom more significant than public safety? The second amendment is a contentious matter, causing far more controversy than any other amendment in the Bill of Rights. As America began to break from its British roots , many revolutionaries felt it was necessary to defend themselves and carry a firearm because they once were not allowed to. The Framers wanted to steer as far away from the way the British treated them as possible. By allowing the Americans to freely own a gun gave them a sense of freedom and control within their own lives....

Words: 457 - Pages: 2

Free Essay

The Use of Cell Phones While Driving

...phones should be banned to make for a safer country. When considering whether or not cell phones should be allowed to be used while driving, generates two different positions. The use of a cell phone while a car is in motion should be made illegal throughout the United States with exceptions of emergencies. Cell phones are a distraction and our brain is better at concentrating on one thing at a time, while using a cell phone you have a slower reaction time and it will reduce the amount of vehicle accidents. Some argue that cell phones cause just as much distraction as many other things such as the radio and that cell phones are needed for emergencies. Others argue that a law banning the use will help decrease vehicle accidents and increase peoples concentration on driving. Outlaw the use of Handheld Cell Phones While Driving “500,000 passenger vehicle drivers are talking on hand-held cell phones, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration” (O’Rourke, 2004). When considering whether or not cell phones should be allowed while driving, causes deep feelings to be expressed on both sides of the issue. Some argue that cell phones cause just as much distraction as many other things, such as the radio. Others argue that such a law will help decrease vehicle accidents and increase the driver’s concentration on driving. Our first concern should be the safety of our people driving on the road. The use of cell phones while a persons car is in motion should be made...

Words: 1258 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Ethical

...with an ethical issue in the workplace. Some managers feel they need to break company’s rules if they want good performance or results. Some of them feel like they have to be friends with their employees versus their supervisor in order to get them to work on time or for them to perform their work duties. This is a struggle for a lot of supervisor doing what is right when they know it is wrong. When supervisor or managers ignored certain things it not only affects them it affects all the people that work for that company. If you work in a sales environment company and only one agent is performing interims of getting sales. That great for that individual, but that one person can carry the whole company. So as managers they need to encourage their other employee to do better. Give them steps on what they can do to improve their performance. Threes no I in team when you for a company. Now there are a lot of managers and supervisors that do what is right no matter what. They don't let other outside sources affect their morals and judgment when handing ethical situations. Gathering facts and during an investigation on how to solve the problem don't make you bias it makes you fair. Fairness is very important in a business. Who doesn't want to be treated fairly? You can do for one you can't do for all, because that's when problems start to arise within the business. As a team and you being the manager. You all should be able to come up with a solution that will work for everyone. Now...

Words: 1074 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Society Revealed In Ayn Rand's Anthem

...story is realizing the world is not about “we,” but “I.” The society is not equal, each person is an individual. Instead of using the world “we,” the society needs to use the word “I” because each person is different in their own way and have their own thoughts. A person has their own way of doing things. No one is this world is equal, and each person should have the freedom to be equal. Throughout the book, the Council of Vocations make sure that everything is done a proper way, if not you will be punished. Everyone in the society has to be equal. Although it might not seem that way because each person is given a specific job, but they all have the same punishment, and have to...

Words: 707 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Why Should The Drinking Age Be 24-25

...Although some think that the drinking age should be 24-25, others think that even the age of 21 is still too old to get permission to legally drink. For some this means just breaking the law and drinking before they are 21. But for others, there are some reasonable points to be made about why they should be able to drink at a younger age. One being that when you turn 18, you have reached the age of adulthood. Shouldn’t you be able to make your own decisions as an adult? If you do make a bad decision, then as an adult, all the reason to learn from it. This is great learning experience for the future and for you to understand the consequences of your own actions. Another reason to let people drink before the age of 21 is the fact that if they are allowed to drink. It maybe won’t seem as fun anymore now that it’s legal. They will also prevent unsafe drinking environments. If someone were to give you a box and say you aren’t allowed to look inside, you would look inside the box the second they turned their box. But if they say you can look in the box like it’s no big deal, they would still look in the box but it would be as big a deal because they are allowed to. They aren’t breaking the rules because they are allowed to, they aren’t in an unsafe environment in an attempt to look in the box without you knowing, so then there will be a...

Words: 657 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Crito

...Crito The father of our country, Thomas Jefferson, once said “My reading of history convinces me that most bad government is the result of too much government.” (Government Involvement in the American Economy) Throughout the course of history we have seen the government drastically change and become more and more involved in the personal lives of the American public. In the story “Crito”, a dialogue written by Plato, he tells of the last days of Socrates. The issue arises as to what laws one should keep, and why. Socrates stands wrongly accused and facing a punishment of death while dear friend Crito tries desperately to convince Socrates to flee. There is every opportunity for Socrates to give in to Crito and save himself yet he will not; why? So many of us believe in free will, the ability to make our own choices without any outside limitations or constraints imposed upon us; however, I believe there is no such service as is depicted in the story of “Crito.” I have no doubt in my mind that if any of us knew we were wrongly accused, facing death, and were given the opportunity to live, we wouldn’t hesitate to take back our freedom. However, Socrates discusses with Crito all the reasons that he cannot abandon his punishment, and must sleep in the bed he made. These reasons will give rise to the argument that the decision he is making, to sacrifice himself, is not free from outside influence of any kind, therefore, his decision is not of his own free will. In paragraph 26...

Words: 1565 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

Handbook

...Welcome to Rodney’s Italian and Grill Welcome to Rodney’s Italian and Grill Dear Employee, We are pleased to welcome you into our business family. As a new member of our family, we have prepared this handbook to further acquaint you with our organizations and help answer any initial questions you might have. Our goals are simple – to furnish a clean, comfortable and interesting atmosphere, and provide quality food with professional service. When we accomplish these goals efficiently, our customers will be satisfied and will continue to visit Horn’s Bar and The Yankee Rebel Tavern. They will also recommend us to their friends and thereby help build our business. You play an important role in reaching these goals and we want to know you have our support and in order to help you understand what we expect we have created this policy handbook. Each policy is explained in an uncomplicated manner. The fulfillment of the policies in this handbook are conditions for your employment. Discuss any questions you might have with your manager, office manager or one of us. We wish you much success with our companies and hope you find working with us here on Mackinac Island a rewarding experience. Sincerely, Rodney Code, Owner TABLE OF CONTENTS Section A FOR THE RECORD Background information on the restaurant and rules of the house. In this section you will also find hiring and payroll policies. ...

Words: 4723 - Pages: 19

Free Essay

Comp 285: Employee Privacy Report

...work purposes and not for personal use. The policy is covered in our Employee Handbook, and states that the rationale for the policy is that we should only be working during work time, and that if we were to use work email for private use, it could expose the company to internet threats that would otherwise be easily avoidable. For instance, if we were to use email for private use and were to open an attachment that contained a virus, we could potentially jeopardize the entire system’s network. During our break periods and lunch we are allowed to use private email accounts, but we are likewise instructed not to open any attachments on our work computers in order to avoid the same threat that would be posed by using our private email accounts for such purposes. Like our email policy, the internet is supposed to only be used for work purposes as well, however, since work purposes aren’t strictly defined there is definitely more leeway in how we can use the internet, since we could be looking at an article in an online magazine or newspaper that’s work related. We are still forbidden from using any networking sites, like facebook and myspace, since we would be using the internet for non-work purposes. Fortunately, however, like the email policy, we are also allowed to use the internet for personal use during break and lunch periods, but we are strictly forbidden from accessing any obscene or offensive material. This policy is strictly enforced since our organization caters to...

Words: 1131 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Ethics Scrapbook Part Ii

...Ethics are a part of nearly everything that we as a society do. Whether we are late for work or even filing your federal taxes, an ethical decision is being made. Life is about choices, morals, and principles. In the field of criminal justice, ethics can be applied as well. Just as police are sworn to serve and protect by oath for the principles by which they are governed, so are most professions today. “Should All Jurisdictions Have a Good Samaritan Law Requiring an Individual to Help Another if They Are Able?” Requiring persons to help another when they are able without percussions of being sued against death or permanent damage to the victim has been helpful in certain situations where ambulatory assistance has not yet arrived. Often times a person can prevent death or stabilize a person until help arrives. If a person moves another person in need and actually causes permanent damage to them, they are not held accountable for that; in other words, they cannot be sued. I believe that there should be a law regarding Good Samaritans; however, I do not believe that it should be required. While the law is helpful, it can also be hurtful. For example, going back to my example above, should the person in need now be permanently immobilized, they cannot go after the person that helped for financial or medical money or charges incurred because they were only trying to help. Because of this, I do not believe that the average Joe should be required to help another. On the flip...

Words: 2280 - Pages: 10

Free Essay

A. Outline at Least Two Defections of the Term Miracle. Examine Key Reasons for Believing in Miracles. B. Comment on the View That These Reasons for Believing in Miracles Are More Persuasive Than Potential Critiicisms.

...reason that there are various definitions all consisting of why we should believe miracles to be true. Two of which belong to Thomas Aquinas’ and Richard Swinburne. Each poses reasons for why one should believe in miracles and whether they do really and truly exist. Firstly Aquinas posits his suggestion that miracles are ‘Those things…which are done by divine power apart from the order generally followed in things’. He sets out his definition with three main aspects; starting with the idea that events are done by God which nature could never have the capability of doing. One example used to support this is that it’s logically impossible to stop the Sun yet God with his divine power can. Therefore if this is broken and an act goes against it, it is thus a miracle. The second proposition is that things that are done by God which nature can do but not in that order also qualify as being a miracle. The final idea that Aquinas puts forward is that the events done by God that nature can do but God does without the use of natural laws also are deemed to be miracles. The significant thing about Aquinas’s definition of a miracle is that he allowed for the possibility of miracles to occur within the system of natural activity. Moreover he allowed for the possibility that God’s activity with the natural realm may be part of the normal order of things. His definition didn’t limit a miracle to a violation of a natural law and so is therefore identified by God’s intervention. A miracle...

Words: 1397 - Pages: 6