Cheyenne L. Foll
Professor Roberts
English 102
November 21st, 2017
Right vs. Wrong: How to Manage Unjust Laws
A society is made up of many different people with their own individualized beliefs and values. Due to the large amount of diversity within society, it is necessary to have a concrete set of rules and guidelines in an attempt to avoid constant chaos. However, some of these laws are often questioned by those who hold varying views of what is right or wrong, or, fair or unfair. Crito by Plato, Civil Disobedience by David Thoreau and Letter from Birmingham by Martin Luther King Jr. all highlight different stances/roles an individual has within society and the affects individuality has on a society when faced …show more content…
Thoreau and King both believe in fighting against social injustices. Both writers believe that they can help encourage society to fight back against government enforced laws and policies. While both Thoreau and King believe that society must take immediate and nonviolent action against the government, Kings writing is more formal and less aggressive. This makes Kings writing more agreeable and relatable. While Kings letter references racism against African Americans mainly, anyone who has experienced injustice in some way can relate to the clear points made within this letter. Many of the points even apply to society today in 2017. While Thoreau believes that members of society should act based on the individuals idea of what is right and what is wrong, this idea can be easily argued against. While the government states that it is against the law to steal, some may agree and these individuals see stealing as wrong. However, some individuals within society may see stealing as right because they believe society owes it to them, because they earned it, or they are desperate or in need. Living in a diverse society means that everyone has different views on what is right and what is wrong. Therefore, society would be a disaster if everyone acted aggressively and operated solely on their own …show more content…
Crito by Plato shows Socrates who believes that his role in society is to follow all laws and principles enforced by the government. Socrates believed that it is his duty to society to abide by the laws within that society. Thoreau, on the other hand, believes that it is his place in society to decide what is right or wrong based on his own individualized set of morals. Thoreau believes that society should have the right to govern itself, away from the control of the government. King, however, holds a more realistic and relatable stance within society. King believes that it is his responsibility to fight against injustice in a nonviolent, morally correct, fact based, planned, polite, and respectful way. When compared to Plato and Thoreau, King’s stance is most relatable because of his ability to skillfully and respectfully take a stand for what he believe is right for society as a whole while properly acknowledging opposing arguments. If we could all do our part ad a citizen within society and react with a level head and with the facts, like King, the world would truly be a better place for
Professor Roberts
English 102
November 21st, 2017
Right vs. Wrong: How to Manage Unjust Laws
A society is made up of many different people with their own individualized beliefs and values. Due to the large amount of diversity within society, it is necessary to have a concrete set of rules and guidelines in an attempt to avoid constant chaos. However, some of these laws are often questioned by those who hold varying views of what is right or wrong, or, fair or unfair. Crito by Plato, Civil Disobedience by David Thoreau and Letter from Birmingham by Martin Luther King Jr. all highlight different stances/roles an individual has within society and the affects individuality has on a society when faced …show more content…
Thoreau and King both believe in fighting against social injustices. Both writers believe that they can help encourage society to fight back against government enforced laws and policies. While both Thoreau and King believe that society must take immediate and nonviolent action against the government, Kings writing is more formal and less aggressive. This makes Kings writing more agreeable and relatable. While Kings letter references racism against African Americans mainly, anyone who has experienced injustice in some way can relate to the clear points made within this letter. Many of the points even apply to society today in 2017. While Thoreau believes that members of society should act based on the individuals idea of what is right and what is wrong, this idea can be easily argued against. While the government states that it is against the law to steal, some may agree and these individuals see stealing as wrong. However, some individuals within society may see stealing as right because they believe society owes it to them, because they earned it, or they are desperate or in need. Living in a diverse society means that everyone has different views on what is right and what is wrong. Therefore, society would be a disaster if everyone acted aggressively and operated solely on their own …show more content…
Crito by Plato shows Socrates who believes that his role in society is to follow all laws and principles enforced by the government. Socrates believed that it is his duty to society to abide by the laws within that society. Thoreau, on the other hand, believes that it is his place in society to decide what is right or wrong based on his own individualized set of morals. Thoreau believes that society should have the right to govern itself, away from the control of the government. King, however, holds a more realistic and relatable stance within society. King believes that it is his responsibility to fight against injustice in a nonviolent, morally correct, fact based, planned, polite, and respectful way. When compared to Plato and Thoreau, King’s stance is most relatable because of his ability to skillfully and respectfully take a stand for what he believe is right for society as a whole while properly acknowledging opposing arguments. If we could all do our part ad a citizen within society and react with a level head and with the facts, like King, the world would truly be a better place for