Civil Disobedience - Key Points
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Questions and Answers

What does the author believe is the best form of government?

  • A government that governs least (correct)
  • A government that governs consistently
  • A government that never intervenes
  • A government that is comprehensive

    • According to the author, what is a key role of government?

  • To execute the will of the people (correct)
  • To maintain order and control
  • To enforce morality among citizens
  • To expand its own power

    • What does the author suggest is a flaw in majority rule?

  • It promotes equality among citizens
  • It can lead to injustice (correct)
  • It is based on moral authority
  • It ensures fair representation

    • What does the author propose as a necessary action to improve government?

    <p>Citizens articulating their ideal government</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What concept does the author associate with the need for conscience in governance?

    <p>The importance of individual rights</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the author criticize about a standing government?

    <p>It often serves the interests of a few</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the motto 'government is best which governs least' imply about the author's view on government intervention?

    <p>Minimal government intervention is preferable</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the author's stance on respect for the law versus respect for what is right?

    <p>Respect for right is more desirable</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the author suggest is the only honorable place for freer spirits in Massachusetts?

    <p>Prisons</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is implied about the relationship between truth and error in the author's view?

    <p>Truth is inherently stronger than error.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is implied about a corporation with conscientious men?

    <p>It acts morally and justly.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do soldiers serving the state feel about their actions?

    <p>They are internally conflicted or opposed.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to the author, what action represents a form of peaceful revolution?

    <p>Refusing to pay taxes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What metaphor does the author use to describe the feeling of confinement in prison?

    <p>A wall of stone</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What distinction is made between different types of individuals serving the state?

    <p>Some serve with conscience while others do not.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the author suggest about the state's treatment of individuals?

    <p>It addresses their bodies rather than their minds.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the author suggest is problematic about obedience to unjust laws?

    <p>It hinders moral progress.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the author believe is necessary for reform?

    <p>Active resistance to injustice.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the author view the concept of obedience to the majority?

    <p>It renders a minority powerless.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which analogy is used to describe people serving in governmental roles?

    <p>They are like machines or automatons.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What reaction does the author express towards the state's ignorance?

    <p>Pity and a loss of respect.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What analogy does the author use to illustrate individual growth and autonomy?

    <p>The interaction of two falling seeds.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What question does the author pose regarding the nature of injustice?

    <p>Does it require immediate action against it?</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the author imply about the state's reliance on physical force?

    <p>It indicates weakness in intellectual dialogue.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is suggested about lawmakers and politicians concerning their moral judgments?

    <p>They are often morally ambiguous.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the author perceive the act of being imprisoned?

    <p>An opportunity for reflection and freedom.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the text imply about the relationship between the government and its citizens?

    <p>Citizens should advocate for reform even if it leads to conflict.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What metaphor does the author use for a government that imprisons justly?

    <p>A flawed machine.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the author suggest about an officer's role when faced with the refusal of allegiance?

    <p>To resign from their position.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the author suggest about individual acts of civil disobedience?

    <p>They are powerful catalysts for lasting reform.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of the phrase 'Your money or your life' in the context of the author's argument?

    <p>It highlights the coercive nature of government demands.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the text characterize the honor associated with military service?

    <p>It can exist alongside the contradictory nature of war.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What feeling does the author convey towards the physical barriers of imprisonment?

    <p>A realization of their futility.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the phrase 'let your life be a counter friction to stop the machine' imply?

    <p>Resist government injustice through active personal actions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to the author, how should individuals react to the actions of the tax-gatherer?

    <p>They should deny him as a means of expressing discontent.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Civil Disobedience - Key Points

    • Government's Role: Government is at best a temporary means, often inexpedient and potentially abusive. A "better" government is needed.
    • Individual's Role: People should prioritize conscience over respect for law; emphasize right over law. An individual's obligation is to do what they believe is right, regardless of the law.
    • Resistance to Injustice: Unjust laws should be transgressed if they require injustice towards others. Civil disobedience is a necessary means to stop unjust systems; personal resistance against the government is key.
    • The Power of the Minority: A minority, if unified and committed, can effect change, even if initially deemed powerless. Withdrawal of support and obedience can bring down unjust systems.
    • The State's Methods: The state uses physical force, not superior intellect or morality, to control individuals. The state aims to control the physical body but not the conscience.
    • The Impact of Disobedience: Civil disobedience, even leading to imprisonment, can be a powerful catalyst for change. It illustrates principles to be followed, and serves as a example for others
    • The Citizen's Duty: The citizen has a responsibility to resist unjust laws or behaviors, not just to passively obey.
    • Individual versus State: Individuals should prioritize their own moral compass over obedience to the state. One’s worth is tied to their morals and conscience not actions dictated by law.
    • The Importance of Conscience: Individuals should prioritize their own conscience over obedience to the state.
    • Practical Approach to Change: Insist on a better government; individuals should specify their ideas and demands.

    Justification for Disobedience

    • Inefficiency of Government: The government is often inefficient and susceptible to abuse by those in power.
    • Majority Rule Issues: Majority rule isn't always just; often driven by force, not by inherent rightness.
    • State's Action on Conscience: The state seldom addresses issues of principle/conscience but instead operates through the physical means of control.
    • Personal Responsibility: It is important not to passively accept the status quo. One is not merely a passive part of the machine of government; Instead one has the responsibility to act as a counteracting force.
    • Impact of the Individual's Active Role: Acting on one's own conscience can be a form of resistance.

    The State and the Individual

    • State's Means of Control: The state primarily uses force and physical means to control individuals, not moral or intellectual persuasion.
    • Lack of Morals: Many who serve the state do so without a strong moral compass or considering moral implications of their actions, thus justifying their actions as duty.
    • Role of the Hero/Reformer: True patriots and reformers resist the state on moral grounds for the good of all citizens.

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    Description

    Explore the essential concepts of civil disobedience as articulated in key philosophical discussions. This quiz delves into the roles of government and individuals, the significance of conscience over law, and the power of unified minorities to challenge injustice. Test your understanding of these important ideas and their implications for social change.

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