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Martin Luther King, Jr. says…

Martin Luther King, Jr. says…. How does MLK define just and unjust laws? . “A just law is a manmade code that squares with the moral law or the law of God…Any law that uplifts human personality is just.”

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Martin Luther King, Jr. says…

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  1. Martin Luther King, Jr. says…

  2. How does MLK define just and unjust laws? • “A just law is a manmade code that squares with the moral law or the law of God…Any law that uplifts human personality is just.” • “An unjust law is a code that is out of harmony with the moral law… An unjust law is a human law that is not rooted in eternal law and natural law…Any law that degrades human personality is unjust.” • What is eternal law? • The overarching law that includes physical, moral and religious laws. • What is natural law? • Determined by nature, and thus universal • Certain rights are inherent • Known by our natural reason

  3. Prep for Socratic SeminarConsider the following quotes / questions: • “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” • Do you agree? How do we handle injustices that are not on the forefront of our communities/society? • “One has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws.” • Do you agree with this? How easy is it to disobey a law you believe to be ‘unjust?’ • “One who breaks an unjust law must do so openly, lovingly, and with a willingness to accept the penalty. I submit 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 law.” • What is the purpose of a law? How would breaking an unjust law display the ‘highest respect’ for it? • How far would you go to break an unjust law? • Is it our responsibility to break unjust laws? • “Injustices do not continue just because of some law of inertia; they continue because people are unwilling to pay the costs to remedy the injustice…” (“Inequality and Fairness”, italics mine). • How do we get anywhere when it comes to injustices? • What does history show us about people stepping up to unjust laws?

  4. Prepare for quiz on Thursday • Definitions we have covered • “Letter from Birmingham Jail” • Socratic seminar and questions addressed • MLK’s definitions of just/unjust laws • Short answer format • Fair play vs. fair share

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