Law and Morality

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childrenslawcenter.org
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            Our legal system works because people know there will be consequences for their negative actions. There are set laws in place – we know not to break them, because it is both morally and legally wrong. It has been in place for centuries – it is clearly not a new or misunderstood system. Though complicated at times, society is has a clear grasp on the general structure and functions of courts.

This isn’t to say that we don’t have crime in America. We most certainly do. But imagine if people knew that they could get away with anything. Corruption and misconduct would be rampant. Or would it be? Hypothetical situations and questions that arise from them, such as the behavior of humans in a lawless society, will forever be a debated question. Do humans have a high enough moral code to keep social order when law enforcement, or even laws themselves, is absent? 

archemdis.wordpress.com
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I think the fear of punishment in a legal sense is certainly enough to keep people from breaking laws. The rhetoric of law is extremely impressive, but I think that the morality of human beings is somewhat stronger. Most people would not harm others or steal, etc., just because they can.

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Those who do disregard the law, and therefore our society’s scruples and moralities, would most likely not care to follow such ethics in the first place. However, some situations cause people to act against their principles and ordinary behaviors that society encourages. If someone is starving, stealing to feed themselves and their family takes precedence over their values. The desire to survive overcomes all else. Guilt will still occur though, reinforcing the idea that standards can rule behavior, and the negative action will possibly be redeemed if and when possible, by some form of repayment. Though the legal system is extraordinarily important in influencing people’s behavior, so is their moral code.