Individual’s Moral Obligation to stand for what is Right
In “Civil Disobedience” by Thoreau asserts that government seldom shows itself sufficient and that it often derives its power from the majority; who are its subjects. Furthermore, Thoreau underscores that the state, just as corporates have no conscience, but through its citizens, can be viewed as conscientious or reckless. Consequently, it is up to the people to practice conscience when endeavoring into their activities. Civil disobedience reminds everyone that it is individuals’ first moral obligation to do what they accept as true and not to conform to laws dictated to them by the majority.
Individual’s moral obligation to stand for what is a right surmise that people should refuse …show more content…
Thoreau proposes some ways through which one can withdraw their support from the government. For instance, Thoreau withdrew his support from the government by refusing to pay taxes. Thoreau’s nonpayment of taxes was not taken lightly. He was imprisoned and he felt no shame for it. As he affirms, “If a thousand men were not to pay their tax-bills this year, that would not be a violent and bloody measure, as it would be to pay them, and enable the State to commit violence and shed innocent blood.” (Thoreau, 314). Thoreau further associates payment of taxes to violence and even termed it as “violent and bloody”. Nonpayment to him is equivalent to staging a peaceful revolution. Money and property as observed by Thoreau corrupt morals. As such, Thoreau urges a simple, self-reliant lifestyle as a way of upholding people’s freedom. While in prison, Thoreau noted that government treats its subject, as they were objects or property. In simple terms, one who has greater morality can only force man. Thoreau further focuses on the individual’s definitive obligation. Therefore, managing the machinery of society ought to be secondary. Through his ideas, Thoreau reaffirms his audience that he does not want to clash with anyone or feel superior to others. If possible, he would love to conform to the laws of the land. Unfortunately for him, the current laws of the land from his point of view are by all means not noble. The same applies to his subjects, from Thoreau’s reasoning, individuals ought to respect themselves and respect only what is right and
In “Civil Disobedience” by Thoreau asserts that government seldom shows itself sufficient and that it often derives its power from the majority; who are its subjects. Furthermore, Thoreau underscores that the state, just as corporates have no conscience, but through its citizens, can be viewed as conscientious or reckless. Consequently, it is up to the people to practice conscience when endeavoring into their activities. Civil disobedience reminds everyone that it is individuals’ first moral obligation to do what they accept as true and not to conform to laws dictated to them by the majority.
Individual’s moral obligation to stand for what is a right surmise that people should refuse …show more content…
Thoreau proposes some ways through which one can withdraw their support from the government. For instance, Thoreau withdrew his support from the government by refusing to pay taxes. Thoreau’s nonpayment of taxes was not taken lightly. He was imprisoned and he felt no shame for it. As he affirms, “If a thousand men were not to pay their tax-bills this year, that would not be a violent and bloody measure, as it would be to pay them, and enable the State to commit violence and shed innocent blood.” (Thoreau, 314). Thoreau further associates payment of taxes to violence and even termed it as “violent and bloody”. Nonpayment to him is equivalent to staging a peaceful revolution. Money and property as observed by Thoreau corrupt morals. As such, Thoreau urges a simple, self-reliant lifestyle as a way of upholding people’s freedom. While in prison, Thoreau noted that government treats its subject, as they were objects or property. In simple terms, one who has greater morality can only force man. Thoreau further focuses on the individual’s definitive obligation. Therefore, managing the machinery of society ought to be secondary. Through his ideas, Thoreau reaffirms his audience that he does not want to clash with anyone or feel superior to others. If possible, he would love to conform to the laws of the land. Unfortunately for him, the current laws of the land from his point of view are by all means not noble. The same applies to his subjects, from Thoreau’s reasoning, individuals ought to respect themselves and respect only what is right and