Why do we need laws? why can't we all just do the right thing and everyone would be happy?

Answer 1

Everyone's preception of the right thing is different. Your preception of what is right may not be what I think is right. It is a nice thought but one that would never work.

Societies need ground rules and laws that citizens must abide by, If not chaos and anarchy rule.

Answer 2

Everyone has a different idea of what 'the right thing' is.
Laws are not based on what is best for people, but on what the powerful people think is 'the right thing'.
In some places this means serving their own interests, in other places it means serving the interests of the country or population, as a CEO would serve the company or staff.
We cannot all 'just do the right thing' cause this does not exist. There has always existed some people with more power than others, and they have always made laws. Can't do without them.

Answer 3

You are correct. If everyone did the right thing, everyone would be happy. But, what is the right thing? Your opinion and mine might be different. Who decides? No matter how we try, we cannot convince everyone to do the right thing, because "the right thing" is not defined the same for everyone. There is no standard. Laws are meant to standardize what is right and what is wrong, for the good of everyone, not just the few. A thief thinks stealing is the right thing, and a rapist thinks raping is the right thing. Pedophiles think having sex with children is the right thing. So, these people are definitely not happy with the law, because it prohibits them from doing what they think is "right". Even if there were no man-made laws, we all live under the laws of nature. Nobody wants to die, but the law of nature is, "Yes, everyone must die". We are never free from laws, at any time.

Answer 4

Obviously, ever since we've begun recording history, there have been wrong-doers who impede upon the happiness of others. But we've created so many laws that at any given moment we're apt to be breaking one or two unbeknownst even to ourselves. It's now illegal to drive when tired. Out of every ten drivers, how many do you supposed are tired? I'm guessing it's probably a majority. The legal system will eventually implode upon itself as more and more laws goes into effect.

I think it'd be nice to abolish all laws and keep one simple law: Act Responsibly and Harmlessly. No precedents or clauses or legalese, just a simple question to the jury, "Did he act responsibly and harmlessly?"

Answer 5

If we take traffic laws as an example. A red light at an intersection is there to PROTECT us from harm, not so much to PREVENT us from crossing the intersection.
We can always decide to cross the intersection with a red light, but we know it is not in the best of our interest.
The same is true with every just and logical law. They are made for the protection and well being of the individual and/ or the society. But they could wrongly be interpreted as preventing us to do what we want to do.

Answer 6

The others are right. We all have different opinions of right and wrong. Besides, it's primal instinct for humans to do whatever benefits them positively. We will always want to preserve our families. Whether or not we do 'the right thing' depends on our amount of self control. Oftentimes we run on 'I want' mode. Many people have stolen something in their lifetimes, running from something as small as nail polish, to something as large as a car. It is basically an impossibility for everyone to do the right thing. Even celebrities have shoplifted, including Winona Ryder and actress Shelley Morrison (Rosario Salazar in Will & Grace). We will always wonder this sort of thing, not realizing the answer is staring at us in the mirror.

Answer 7

If everyone did the right thing - we would still be living by "natural law".

People often confuse the laws of government with the natural law by which we should lead our lives. Even Jesus said "Render unto Caesar, what is Caesar's".

To live without natural law would be chaos.

Answer 8

Unfortunately, not all of us do the right thing. Law is made for people that don't do the right thing. That is why we need laws.

Answer 9

Why do we need laws? What is right thing to you maybe Wong thing to me. Laws are rule that most people live and agree to as the right thing.

Answer 10

because in the beginning there was only ONE law !!! (Dont go to THAT tree, and eat the fruit.) And the first, extremely simple law, was immediately broken. The there were TEN laws. Broken. Then, a THOUSAND laws. Broken. Then, a MILLION laws. Tell me the answer, will they be broken?