Verified Document

Ethics "That Government Is Best Which Governs Essay

Ethics "That government is best which governs least," (Thoreau). The opening line of Civil Disobedience testifies to the importance of individual enlightenment over blind conformity. Government should ideally be by the people and for the people. Laws are often arbitrary and reflect outmoded social norms. In Crito, Plato foresees centuries of government oppression of the people via unjust laws. Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela are both figureheads of civil disobedience because they followed the rational and sound examples set by Plato and Thoreau. Like Socrates in Crito, Martin Luther King understands that anarchy is not the solution to overturning unjust laws. No individual should obey an unjust law. The intelligent individual promotes democratic ideals and self-empowerment rather than acting as a martyr. In fact, obeying an unjust law is akin to perpetuating injustice. It is the duty of every conscious citizen, who is intent on promoting the good life, to disobey unjust laws and work towards the evolution of a more perfect society.

The dynamic between Crito and Socrates illustrates the central argument of whether or not to obey unjust laws. Unjust laws are by definition unworthy of respect. For example, interracial marriage was once a crime in the United States. It was a moral obligation of interracial couples in love to purposely disobey the law to prove that the government was wrong in legislating prejudice. Henry David Thoreau would agree; the government should never pass laws that infringe on the rights of others. Breaking laws that infringe on the rights of others is an act of civil disobedience. Just as Socrates willingly endured a prison term, so too did Nelson Mandela and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Their personal sacrifice helped pave the way for a more just society.
Henry David Thoreau's anti-governmental stance in Civil Disobedience offers a refreshingly balanced point-of-view. Rather than advocate lawlessness, Thoreau honors the common sense…

Sources used in this document:
References

Plato. Crito. Retrieved online: http://classics.mit.edu/Plato/crito.html

Thoreau, Henry David. Civil Disobedience. Retrieved online: http://thoreau.eserver.org/civil1.html
Cite this Document:
Copy Bibliography Citation

Related Documents

Business Ethics Government Corruption: The
Words: 1620 Length: 6 Document Type: Term Paper

In Greece particularly government corruption in the broad public sector is considered widespread; this is evident in local government and agencies including those that issue permits and licenses that authorize planning permissions (Economist, 2004). Doctors and other officials are even known to expect a 'tip' for jobs undertaken that they are supposed to do (Economist, 2004). The new Democracy government being constructed in Greece is taking action to "re-construct" the state

Government Why Did the Framers
Words: 5873 Length: 18 Document Type: Essay

Republicans construed Obama as suggesting government bailouts for new industries, or at the slightest a more lively federal government function in generating or supporting jobs -- concepts abominations to a lot of conservatives. The Obama campaign countered the idea as political spin that does not replicate the president's feeling or meaning, pointing to full circumstances of the quotation as confirmation (Koch, 2011). Discuss the process of how a Bill becomes a

Ethics Research the Role of
Words: 1946 Length: 7 Document Type: Creative Writing

It is important that I am honest to anyone who I choose to be my mentor. Communication must be frank and honest, as learning is the key to research. Requirements for IRB Approval Institutional Review Boards (IRB) are the governing bodies that determine what research may be conducted at the university. This is the approving authority for future knowledge and must be treated with honor and respect. As a student under

Government Contracting Process the Federal
Words: 2271 Length: 8 Document Type: Thesis

(Vancketta, 1999) The 'Changes' clause enables the Government "to make unilateral changes to the contract during performance, so long as those changes fall within the contract's scope." The Standard 'Changes' clause utilized in fixes price supply contracts allows the CO to make changes in writing to: 1) the drawings, designs, or specifications when the item is being specifically manufactured for the government; 2) the method of shipment or packing; or 3) the place

Government Outsourcing the Outsourcing of
Words: 10988 Length: 35 Document Type: Term Paper

A micro considers the interests and rights of the individual company as the primary concern. Both of these views are valid depending on the lens that one wishes to use. The problem arises when the government is forced to develop policies regarding procurement in this volatile debate. The government must decide whether to take a micro view, favoring the rights of companies, or a macro view that places the

Ethics in Business Has Become
Words: 2102 Length: 6 Document Type: Essay

Training is part of this process, so that people explicitly understand the ethical culture of the company. Ethical cultures tend to be self-perpetuating because the people within the organization will hold themselves and their co-workers accountable. When you look at a company like Enron, large parts of that company were devoid of ethical standards, so it was much easier for the frauds to occur. Enron also highlights the need

Sign Up for Unlimited Study Help

Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.

Get Started Now