1. Answer this question:
Is it justified to break an unjust law?
Your argument/thesis will be a clear answer to this. In supporting your thesis,
you must consider and contend with the readings from Plato, Lincoln, Martin
Luther King, Jr., Thoreau and the film Billy Budd. Use all of these sources at
least once (direct quotes are required, but you may paraphrase in addition to the
direct quotes) in this paper, demonstrating your ability to understand and integrate
the ideas from our readings in a thoughtful and convincing manner. A key to
success is your ability to address and integrate the main ideas from each source.
Do not ignore any or choose lesser points from a source instead of the main
points.
Do not organize your essay by source (King, Thoreau, Socrates, etc.), but by idea
or supporting argument. Organizing by source produces more summary and less
argument. We want less summary and more argument/analysis.
Please consider the following questions as you construct your argument:
What are our responsibilities as citizens? Is there, as Socrates offers, a social
contract with our government and its laws that we agree to follow? Must we, as
citizens, abide by all laws? What are the consequences of not abiding by laws?
Are you willing to accept these consequences? What are the consequences of
following laws, even if they are unjust? Is there a distinction between letter and
spirit of a law? If so, what does this mean to individuals and society?
Do not try to answer all of these questions in your writing. Use them as a way to
think about the subject in a comprehensive way before you start writing.
Also consider the strategy of dialogue. Ask yourself, “What would Lincoln say?”
“What would Socrates say?” and so on.
