Morality in Politics Essay Example for Free

Morality in Politics EssayPeople are forced to causa honour adequate to(p) challenges in making day-to-day decisions. When it comes to benefitting individual and societal darling, the great inquire of politics is elevated what is the righteousness thing to do? In Sophocles Antigone, there is a dilemma whether to abide by the equitys of the gods higher up the rightfulnesss of the fix. Antigone names a decision that not only affects her future but the future of the state under her uncles rule. Antigone gains a high moral sense in that she followed the laws of the gods and therefore did the morally right choice passage against state laws, either case can be deemed as morally correct. In this essay it exit be argued that citizens should be free to disobey state laws when conscience dictates. Sophocles play enacts the moral conflict of originator between the laws of the gods and the laws of state. He presents the reader with a dilemma involving unearthly rituals passed down in the family and a raw law passed by a ruler of the state. Antigone and her uncle, Creon, admit a different set of determine. Creon, the ruler of Thebes, value the constant order of the state and the universal good.Antigone values family and religion, and views these commitments as superior to the laws imposed by her uncle. She claims, there is an unchangeable unwritten code of Heaven, (Sophocles, Antigone, 17) and she decides to act against the laws of her uncle to fulfill the laws of the gods, by giving her brother a straightlaced burial ritual against Creons will. Antigone considers her uncles laws as sacrilege. Creon thought that his decision would bring stability to his state, as he claimed that by corruption few men thrive and many come to mischief, (Sophocles, Antigone, 12).Creon places the polis above family and religious values and disregards the values that Antigone holds sacred. Sophocles positions Antigone as being the heroine of the play and allows her to d ependableify her decisions, with the fetching of her own life Antigone make a statement and accentuates the power she held and that Creon lacked. In the end, Creon is left with feelings of regret and no family, thus punished by the gods for not abiding by their laws. Antigone believed that her rights were not given to her by Creon but rather given to her by the gods.She was only doing what she thought was morally right. Antigone is a religious being and clearly values the gods higher than the state she is willing to face the consequences. Antigone was willing to meet with nothing much grievous, at the worst, than death, with honour, (Sophocles, Antigone, 4) she courageously fulfilled her duties as a religious being. Many people would applaud Antigones bravery, for any private use up should be allowed to challenge the public good. In doing so, I believe that those private interests could eventually turn into a public interest.In the play, a prophet visits Creon to warn him of the consequences that dedicate been brought about from his unjust laws. If it had not have been for Antigone publicly objecting to Creons law, it would probably not have been such a big issue that brought the concern of others. Antigone allowed for others to question Creons law and debate if it is morally right to go against the laws of the gods. Publicly refusing to follow a law brings tending to an issue that otherwise would have been ignored. One great example in our society is during the obliging Rights era Martin Luther King Jr.s actions brought great attention to the issue of racial segregation. He believed that it was right to openly break a law that was not supposed to be a law at all. His actions although non-violent broke many laws that were made to impede success among the African American macrocosm in the U. S. He believed that by publicly and consciously prison- break of serve the law exposes brutality and promotes participation. In doing so, the people against the law were sensed as being brave and those watching were forced to question what was just.When issues become public and catch the interest of the majority of the people in the polis, the government is forced to do whateverthing about it. Creon responded with a stern and such(prenominal) too harsh punishment that led to the death of his niece, son and wife but if Antigone would not have contested his law he could have eventually occured complete domination of political power. The general population supported Antigone but they were too afraid to say anything until they finally felt that something must be done. Creon was cartroad a totalitarian government and was corrupting the state.He was unable to see how unjust his law was until others brought it to his attention and tried to convince him that his use of power was wrong. Antigones defying actions instilled courage in the people to similarly give tongue to against their ruler. It might be objected that when someone disobeys state laws whenever their conscience dictates they are only helping themselves, the person breaking the law is not thinking about the common good but rather fulfilling their own good or promoting anarchy. accomplished disobedience may seem reasonable when we consider Martin Luther King Jr. s situation but it may not always be driven with good intentions.By disobeying, heedless of good or bad intentions, they are hurting the stability of the state. Creon argues, Obedience is due to the state ships officer in small and great, just and unjust commandments (Sophocles, Antigone, 26). Creon did not bother to judge his laws as just or unjust, he simply did what he considered was good for the state. It is thought that if people continue to please themselves in breaking the laws of the state that they will eventually break every law and lose all respect for the state. Civil disobedience may not always serve the public good and only serve to overthrow order.Breaking a law weakens the state and its order, it promotes anarchy and disrespects authority. It should not be encouraged or tolerated. It is a civic virtue to abide by the laws of the state it is what leans to its success and stability. By breaking the law Antigone was face up with death, she claimed that she was honoring the gods and that they would honor her in the end. But one must question if honor is charge the permanence of death. Many people feel so strongly about their opinions that they are wiling to die just as Antigone did in Sophocles play.One notable person in history is Socrates he willingly faced all punishments administered to him. He claimed to have had a contract with his state of Athens that obliged him to accept punishments for taking advantage of the state in the first place. This shows that even though Socrates may have broken some law, he still held respect for the state. Not every person that breaks a law is completely recalcitrant. manage Socrates, those who fight for civil rights and fo llow what they believe to be morally correct are aware of their wrongdoings and make it a statement when they finally submit to the law.They are submitting to punishments even if they are deemed unjust only to lift to the state that their morals are important and can withstand any punishment. In facing moral challenges one is often forced to face it is always difficult to decipher what is right and what is wrong. Everyone has different values and obligations. Here, Antigones values outweighed Creons overwhelmingly unjust laws. One must always question what is more important and find a balance between the two. Civil disobedience is allowed when the conscience dictates in situations that lead to a greater good.Not all private interests are egocentric some may also reflect the interest of the general population. Antigone, although harshly punished just as Martin Luther King, Jr. and Socrates were as well, have all rose among the common people and proved to be great. They encompassed a passion and bravery for their beliefs that was able to attract attention to conflicts in the law. Without their brave actions the state would not have been open to change and reach a new level of stability.