Under what conditions does Thoreau say we must break the law?

Thoreau declared that if the government required people to participate in injustice by obeying “unjust laws,” then people should “break the laws” even if they ended up in prison. “Under a government which imprisons any unjustly,” he asserted, “the true place for a just man is also a prison.”

What is the relation of justice to the moral view that Thoreau maintains?

Justice is the product of the individual conscience, and the individual can assert his importance by standing up to the tyranny of the majority. The best way to serve the state, according to Thoreau, is by disobeying unjust laws, since this makes the state more just.

Who does Thoreau believe is to blame for injustice?

Thoreau argues that the United States’ invasion of Mexico is immoral and that Americans who support the government with their person (as soldiers) or property (through taxes) are complicit in that injustice. He would further say that a person should go to jail rather than be responsible for that invasion.

What distinction does Thoreau draw in paragraph 3 and how does it support his point of view?

What distinction does Thoreau draw in paragraph 3 and how does it support his point of view? Thoreau makes a distinction between himself and the “no-government men” (part 1, par. 3). Rather, he wants an improved government.

Which of the three classic appeals dominates in paragraph 21?

Which of the three classic rhetorical appeals dominates in paragraph 21, where Thoreau gives the government a human face? Defend your answer. Logos is most present in paragraph 21.

Which is one of the main themes of Walden?

He shows that most of us have the choice to live with less materially in order to experience the spiritual more fully. One of the most important themes of Walden is the necessity of self-reliance. Thoreau believes that this is the ultimate virtue, something that speaks to our essence as human beings.

How do you know if the law is unjust?

The general thinking is that a law is unjust if it doesn’t square with natural law. This is certainly the view that was put forth in Martin Luther King’s Letter from Birmingham Jail. So, a law that was passed that treated people differently wouldn’t square with the natural law that all humans are equal.

What is Thoreau’s purpose in section 7 of civil disobedience?

Thoreau’s Civil Disobedience espouses the need to prioritize one’s conscience over the dictates of laws. It criticizes American social institutions and policies, most prominently slavery and the Mexican-American War.

What does counter friction mean?

Resistance also served as part of Thoreau’s metaphor comparing the government to a machine: when the machine was producing injustice, it was the duty of conscientious citizens to be “a counter friction” (i.e., a resistance) “to stop the machine”.

What is the main idea of civil disobedience by Thoreau?

In Civil Disobedience, Thoreau’s basic premise is that a higher law than civil law demands the obedience of the individual. Human law and government are subordinate. In cases where the two are at odds with one another, the individual must follow his conscience and, if necessary, disregard human law.

How does this paragraph develop Thoreau’s point of view about conscience?

In part 1, paragraph 9, Thoreau develops his point of view on conscience by rejecting Paley’s claim that all issues of injustice can be reduced to “expediency” or convenience. If “the interest of the whole of society” does not desire to change, the government should not be changed (part 1, par.

On what grounds does Thoreau believe the majority will make its decision?

According to Thoreau, what is the basis of majority rule? He contends that majority rule is not based on justice or fairness but rather on nothing more than the fact that the majority is physically stronger than the minority. 2.