Is it more important to do what is right, or what is legal?

Answer 1

what is right definately, the only person that can truely judge you is yourself!

Answer 2

There is no answer that works all the time.

If one were to go with what is legal 100% of the time, that would be to condone or even participate in various injustices, historically including the Holocaust, and recently the Kelo Decision.

On the other hand, to go with what the individual feels is right is to basically condone anarchy by making inconvenient laws subordinate to the individual conscience.

I would say that people who ask this question should go with what is legal, and leave the task of making difficult judgments to people who are willing to suffer the occasional inconvenience that living peaceably in a civilized society demands, have the courage to accept the risk inherent in fighting injustice, and have the wisdom to know the difference between injustice and inconvenience.

Answer 3

I'm taking online philosophy class and we debated this int he discussion forums a couple weeks ago.

Basically what I think is that it's more important to do what is right than what is legal because you have to answer to yoru own conscience. if the law is broken the law can try to punish, but that is external. my own guilt if I don't do what is right, is longer lasting and internal.

I understand some people thinkt he law should be upheld no matter what, but what if a law is wrong and after people do the right thing, law makers see that the law needs to be reconsiled to the morality and conseince of the people? If a law is inc onflict with what you think is right, you should go with what you think is right. i know some people with twiste dminds and no conscience would then do whatever they wanted using this as a crutch, but thos epeople would be delt with by the law, so there ya go! :)

Answer 4

Depends on what you think is right. If you smoke pot because you believe you have the right and the law is wrong then I hope you go to jail. If you beat a person to death because you see them abusing a child then I hope you get off. That would be the right thing to do. The problem is this: there is a large difference between what people believe to be right. Just read this forum. The radical liberals and radical conservatives on here obviously believe it would be right to kill each other.

Answer 5

potential of lawyer isn't sufficient. except the different lady has a courtroom order of guardianship, you r mom continues to be the only legal guy or woman who can answer for you. while do you change 18, additionally you may desire to locate out the age of emancipation( i think of it is the way you spell it). you are able to circulate to courtroom in some states and ask the courtroom to launch you from her custody after which you're legal to respond to for your self. solid success...

Answer 6

I saw this analogy on the Andy Griffith Show years ago. If the sign said No Swimming... would you jump in to save a drowning friend?

Answer 7

LEGAL


All the right in the world means nothing if it's not legal.

Answer 8

Interesting question.
It is always more important to do what is right, but stay within your legal rights.

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Answer 9

You need to be more specific. It depends on the situation. However, a short answer is it's more important to do what is right.

Answer 10

I could be full of myself and say right, but in the end it depends on how much money is at stake

Answer 11

more important to do what is right because law is not perfect. do what's ethically correct with compassion