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To Obey or Not to Obey

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Submitted By giftedhands112
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To Obey or Not to Obey that is the Question...

By Michael Howell

Course: Phil 3740 - Philosophy Law
Instructor – Professor Anna Gotlib
Spring 2012

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The law is of no other. No other form or entity commands the stoicism it possesses. The law is a showcase of protection and order, keenly exhibiting direct justification without emotion or feeling. One may twist and manipulate it, even use it to an unfair advantage finding favor in wealth; yet, absolutely no one is above it. That facet alone places it in a class all its own. Everyone must yield to its magnitudes. Yet, in all its magnitude there is no moral obligation to obey the law. We are faced with tough decisions day in and day out. There are many deciding factors that aid us in our decision making. One major factor is our moral judgment. Morality may differ from one individual to the next, but the desire to live by them remains the same. When obeying the law comes into play it does not inflict, by any means, whether this moralistic trait determines your duty nor does it dictate cause to obey the law. Your moral duty is loyal to your own wellbeing and what in your own mind is best for your own person. Even if what you are doing is to benefit others your own person is being satisfied, and yes in some cases this may involve not obeying the law. And in many cases whether you obey the law or not the law does not change. So therefore your obligation to it in reality has no value to it, only to yourself and your own wellbeing. The law will not suffer consequence if not obeyed only the one not obeying it. We obey the law out of rational thought not morality. If you are a licensed driver passing through a reduced speed zone in a school district you will slow down and not speed not out of moral duty, but out of rational thought that I may hit a kid if I drive too fast or I may get a ticket, but whatever

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