Cool post. Here's a good one that came up on a random search:
Sigmund Freud
"What progress we are making. In the Middle Ages they would have burned me. Now they are content with burning my books."
Letter to Ernest Jones
I've thought about that one, Zemat. The group that comes to mind for me is abortion protesters, especially ones who block the entrances to clinics or otherwise harass doctors and patients.
I disagree with their cause (and sometimes their methods) and try to remind myself that the way I look at them is the way some peole look at environmentalists: as deluded, pitiable wackos. They should be ultimately tolerated, as long as they do no real harm.
"the aim of civil disobedience is to change the law. The aim of crime is just to circumvent it."
Jacobw, that's as concise a definition as I've heard. It reminds me of what MLK's "Letter from Birmingham Jail," in which he (responding to charges of disrespect for the law) says that those who break an unjust law and accept its consequences are in fact showing the highest respect you can have for the concept of law.
If I remember correctly, King had three criteria for determining what was or wasn't civil disobedience.
1. The law you're breaking must be an unjust one
2. All other legal channels must have been attempted.
3. The act of disobedience must bring no great harm to innocent people.
Many so-called "hilarious" posts leave me cold, but this one made me laugh out loud and call my buddy over from his office. Worth the effort. Thanks!
posted by Beagle 20 years ago
In "Philosophical quotes for every occasion:"
Cool post. Here's a good one that came up on a random search: Sigmund Freud "What progress we are making. In the Middle Ages they would have burned me. Now they are content with burning my books." Letter to Ernest Jones
posted by Beagle 20 years ago
In "Curious George: Civil Disobedience"
I've thought about that one, Zemat. The group that comes to mind for me is abortion protesters, especially ones who block the entrances to clinics or otherwise harass doctors and patients. I disagree with their cause (and sometimes their methods) and try to remind myself that the way I look at them is the way some peole look at environmentalists: as deluded, pitiable wackos. They should be ultimately tolerated, as long as they do no real harm.
posted by Beagle 20 years ago
"the aim of civil disobedience is to change the law. The aim of crime is just to circumvent it." Jacobw, that's as concise a definition as I've heard. It reminds me of what MLK's "Letter from Birmingham Jail," in which he (responding to charges of disrespect for the law) says that those who break an unjust law and accept its consequences are in fact showing the highest respect you can have for the concept of law. If I remember correctly, King had three criteria for determining what was or wasn't civil disobedience. 1. The law you're breaking must be an unjust one 2. All other legal channels must have been attempted. 3. The act of disobedience must bring no great harm to innocent people.
posted by Beagle 20 years ago
(limited to the most recent 20 comments)