Carl Cohen's Seven Arguments Against Civil Disobedience

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A law is a law. It is not meant to be broken, and if broken, you are considered a criminal, and that is that. According to Carl Cohen's Seven Arguments Against Civil Disobedience, he says, "Civil disobedience implies contempt of the law." He also says that when a disobedient breaks the law willingly, he will be punished anyway, because it is a written law and will be enforced as such.

For some civil disobedient people, the punishment for the crime will be more severe than the accidental law breaker's punishment for the same crime.

A free society is one that has and enforces laws. That keeps dangerous people off the streets, keeping them from creating havoc and causing an anarchy. Laws must be enforced, no matter how big or small the law the criminal may have broken. It also doesn't matter if it is philosophically acceptable, a law is a law. Rule of law applies to everyone, even civil disobedient people. So, the law will be enforced as such.

According to Carl Cohen, "civil disobedience undermines respect for the law," a main part of a free society. In order for a society to be free, the laws of the society must be respected. That means following them to the letter,
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It can cause civil and social disorder, chaos, and is technically breaking the law, which makes you, in fact, a criminal, by definition of the word. Laws are laws, and by definition, we are to abide by them, no matter if it is philosophically just or unjust, as it will make you a criminal, and may take away your right to vote, become a lawyer or politician, and will show up when jobs or schools look at your permanent record. By definition, a law is a law, and they are not to be broken, as they help make a society not a bunch of uncivilized monkeys, per say. So, don't break laws, even civil disobedience can land you with a criminal record, which will ruin your chance at life. Civil disobedience should not be done, no matter if the law is just or