The Issue Of Disobeying The Law

A controversial issue regarding the law has been whether it is ever right to disobey the law. Some people would argue that it is not always morally wrong to disobey the law. From this perspective, laws that are considered immoral or unfair hinder society through unnecessary restrictions. However, others argue that it is never right to disobey the law. Socrates, who maintains this view, discusses the issue of obeying laws in Crito by Plato, arguing that a citizen “[has] undertaken, in deed if not in word, to live [their] life as a citizen in obedience to us [the Laws]” (271). According to this view, obeying the law is a citizen’s duty, and a person who is not obedient to the law fails to fulfill his duty. In sum, the issue is whether disobedience of the law is moral or immoral. I think that disobeying the law is in

She reasons that Polyneices is her brother, and that her duty to bury Polyneices is more important than following the law. Antigone explains to Ismene: “Ismene, I am going to bury him. Will you come? / Bury him! You have just said the new law forbids it. / He is my brother. And he is your brother, too” (31-33, 287). Antigone argues that although burying Polyneices is a crime per Kreon’s law, it is still both her and Ismene’s right to bury him. In my opinion, although it may be a custom to bury a dead family member, Antigone’s actions are not justified. I think that by refusing to obey the law, Antigone is being selfish and only caring about what she thinks is right. Antigone does not consider the possible consequences, not only for herself, but also for Thebes. If it is acceptable to disobey one law, then there is no reason for anyone to also obey other laws. Disobeying the law, regardless of the reason, is immoral because it overlooks the negative effect on other laws and