Moral Responsibility - 1256 Words

Naina Navni Professor Adams UCWR 110 21 October 2010 Moral Responsibility America would not be where it is without the laws that have been placed and the citizens who follow the laws. In order for this to happen the knowledge and acceptance of the laws are needed to establish order. African Americans had been secluded in the past through harsh laws of segregation. Although many believe disobeying the law is morally wrong and if disobeyed a punishment should follow, Martin Luther King’s profound statement, â€Å"One has the moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws† (King 420) leads to greater justice for all which is also supported by King’s â€Å"Letter from Birmingham Jail,† Jefferson’s â€Å" The Declaration of Independence,† and Lincoln’s†¦show more content†¦After King clearly demonstrated that segregation laws are unjust, it follows the immediate opening premise, One has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws that we are obliged to disobey segregation laws (King 4 20). King shines a new light on the disobedience of the law by expressing his belief that An individual who breaks a law that conscience tells him is unjust, and who willingly accepts the penalty of imprisonment in order to arouse the conscience of the community over its injustice, is in reality expressing the highest respect for the law† (King 421). This therefore means that conscientious disobedience of an unjust law, especially with the intention of overturning injustice, shows the highest respect for the law, where just law is supposed to derive from natural law and Gods moral order. Kings language here echoes Jefferson, but particularly in the Declaration of Independence where Jefferson argues that governments exist to protect basic human rights, Deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed (Jefferson 437). At time it appears that the letter might even surpass the Declaration of Independence in its importance and value, as the letter speaks on behalf of all Americans as a unified we (Ess). Lincoln’s famous â€Å"Second Inaugural Address† given in 1865, exemplifies what King tries to explain in his letter. The main message gained is that all men are created equal, thereforeShow MoreRelatedMoral Responsibility797 Words   |  4 Pages(A) of the core moral responsibility This is done by P. Pula Li (Peter Pratley)proposed. Pula Li believes that the same as the implementation of quality management, companies also accept the moral responsibility of the concrete. at the lowest level, the enterprise must take three responsibilities: (1) concern for consumers, such as the ability to meet the ease of use, product safety And other requirements; (2)concern for the environment; (3) interest on the minimum working conditions. Platts theseRead MoreThe Moral Responsibilities Within A Corporation971 Words   |  4 Pagesspeak of corporations having moral responsibilities to act in certain ways, and they are morally responsible for the consequences of their actions on people.† (p. 200). Large corporations are comprised of the board of directors, management, and their workers. They also deal with suppliers, customers, and have competitors. This essay will examine the moral responsibilities within a corporation. In large corporations the success or failure of the company is the responsibility of the board of directorsRead MoreBusiness Moral Responsibility Essay1370 Words   |  6 PagesBusinesses Moral Responsibility Darryl A. Young April 18, 2008 Philosophy GEPI 140 One of the most important questions in all businesses is, whether businesses have any moral responsibilities at all beyond simply earning as much of a profit as possible for their owners? 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Free will is true in species and there will never be an alternate. I believe people are responsible for their actions. Most philosophers assert that the concept of free will is closely related to moral responsibility. Responsibility is â€Å"the state or fact of being accountable or to blame for something.† When a person attempts to perform an action and fails to do so, people assume there is a common response. Blame and praise is a frequently used combination in suchRead MoreFree Will : Moral Responsibility1168 Words   |  5 Pagesnaturally have a strong sense of freedom. Free will is true in species and there will never be an alternate. I believe people are responsible for their actions. Most philosophers assert that the concept of free will is closely related to moral responsibility. Responsibility is â€Å"the state or fact of being accountable or to blame for something.† When a person attempts to perform an action and fails to do so, people assume there is a common response. Blame and praise is a frequently used combination in such