Keith Mack
The question of whether it is ever okay to break the law is a complex one. While some people believe that following the law is the same as acting morally, others argue that laws can be influenced by various factors and are not always morally right. For example, some laws may favour the rich over the poor and disadvantaged. A poll found that 58% of people think it is okay to break the law if the crimes are minor.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| If the crimes are minor | 58% of people view breaking the law as "OK" in this case |
| If everyone else does it | 20% of people surveyed don't believe this is illegal |
| If the law is unjust | Individuals are called to make their own moral decisions |
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What You'll Learn
When a law feels unjust
It is crucial to question and critically examine laws as they can be influenced by various factors and are not necessarily morally right. For example, laws may favour the rich and wealthy at the expense of the poor and disadvantaged. Sometimes, laws may feel unjust.
Ethics and law are not the same. Laws are society's formalisation of ethical principles, but they are not always the same. For example, 58% of people view breaking the law as 'OK' if the crimes are minor. A further 20% of people surveyed don't believe what they do is illegal because 'everyone else does it'.
Individuals are called to make their own moral decisions, which is a fundamental part of being human. Therefore, it can be morally right, and even indicated, to break the law in certain situations.
However, it is important to remember that breaking the law can have consequences. While you may feel that a law is unjust, the legal system may not agree. If you are caught breaking the law, you may face legal penalties, such as fines or imprisonment. It is also important to consider the potential impact on your personal and professional life. Breaking the law can damage your reputation, affect your relationships, and even limit your career opportunities.
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When a law protects the rich and powerful at the expense of the poor and disadvantaged
It is important to question and critically examine laws as they can be influenced by various factors and are not necessarily morally right. Individuals are called to make their own moral decisions, which is a fundamental part of being human. Therefore, it can be morally right, and even indicated, to break the law in certain situations.
For example, sometimes laws look like they protect the rich and powerful at the cost of the poor and disadvantaged. In such cases, a good person might need to break the law in the pursuit of what is right. This is especially true when a law is unjust.
It is worrying to think that so many people are breaking the law on a daily basis. However, it is an even bigger concern that many are not bothered about it. A total of 58% of people view breaking the law as "OK" if the crimes are minor. Interestingly, more than one-third of people are not bothered at all that they break the law.
Some people might argue that ethics and law are the same thing. They might say that just following the law will make sure that they are acting morally right. However, this is not always the case. Ethics and law are not the same.
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When a law is not morally right
It is important to question and critically examine laws as they can be influenced by various factors and are not necessarily morally right. Individuals are called to make their own moral decisions, which is a fundamental part of being human. Therefore, it can be morally right, and even indicated, to break the law in certain situations.
For example, sometimes laws may look like they protect the rich and the wealthy at the cost of the poor and disadvantaged. Sometimes laws may feel unjust. So is it true that sometimes a good person might need to break the law in the pursuit of what’s right?
It is worrying that so many people are breaking the law on a daily basis. A total of 58% of people view breaking the law as "OK" if the crimes are minor. More than one third of people are not bothered at all that they break the law.
However, it is important to remember that ethics and law are not the same. You'll often hear the opinion that "just following the law will make sure that I'm acting morally right". But this is not always the case.
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When a crime is minor
It is important to question and critically examine laws as they can be influenced by various factors and are not necessarily morally right. Individuals are called to make their own moral decisions, which is a fundamental part of being human. Therefore, it can be morally right, and even indicated, to break the law in certain situations.
For example, sometimes laws may look like they protect the rich and the wealthy at the cost of the poor and disadvantaged. Sometimes laws may feel unjust. So is it true that sometimes a good person might need to break the law in the pursuit of what’s right?
A survey found that 58% of people view breaking the law as “OK” if the crimes are minor. More than one third of people are not bothered at all that they break the law. However, it is important to remember that this excuse will not get you anywhere in court.
Therefore, it is up to the individual to decide whether or not to break the law, taking into account the potential consequences and their own moral compass.
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When everyone else is doing it
It's a common belief that it's okay to break the law if everyone else is doing it. In fact, 20% of people surveyed don't believe what they do is illegal because "everyone else does it". However, this excuse won't get you anywhere in court.
It's crucial to question and critically examine laws as they can be influenced by various factors and are not necessarily morally right. For example, sometimes laws may feel unjust or like they protect the rich and wealthy at the cost of the poor and disadvantaged. In these situations, it can be morally right, and even indicated, to break the law.
However, it's important to remember that ethics and law are not the same. While the law is meant to formalise ethical principles, it doesn't always succeed in doing so. As individuals, we are called to make our own moral decisions, which is a fundamental part of being human.
So, while it may be tempting to follow the crowd when it comes to breaking the law, it's important to remember that we each have a responsibility to make our own moral choices.
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Frequently asked questions
It is crucial to question and critically examine laws as they can be influenced by various factors and are not necessarily morally right. Individuals are called to make their own moral decisions, which is a fundamental part of being human. Therefore, it can be morally right, and even indicated, to break the law in certain situations.
A survey found that 58% of people view breaking the law as "OK" if the crimes are minor. Interestingly, more than one third of people are not bothered at all that they break the law.
People may break the law because they believe that it is morally right to do so, or because they think that everyone else is doing it.
Breaking the law can result in legal punishment, such as a fine or imprisonment. It can also have social and economic consequences, such as losing your job or being unable to rent an apartment.
