Conflicts of Law and Morality (Clarendon Law Series)

Powerful emotion and pursuit of self-interest have many times led people to break the law with the belief that they are doing so with sound moral reasons. This study, a comprehensive philosophical and legal analysis of the gray area in which the foundations of law and morality clash, views these oblique circumstances from two perspectives: that of the person who faces a possible conflict between the claims of morality and law and must choose whether or not to obey the penal code; and that of the people who make and uphold laws and must decide whether to treat someone with a moral claim to disobey differently from ordinary lawbreakers. In examining the extent of the obligations owed by citizens to their government, Greenawalt concentrates on the possible existence of a single source of obligation that reaches all citizens and all laws. He also discusses techniques of amelioration of punishment for conscientious lawbreakers, asking how far legal systems should go to accommodate individuals who break the law for reason of conscience. Drawing from numerous examples of conflicts between law and morality, Greeawalt illustrates in detail the positions and predicaments of potential lawbreakers and lawmakers alike. Contents......Page 12 I. THE CONFLICTING CLAIMS OF LAW AND MORALITY......Page 14 1. Introduction......Page 16 2. The Claims of Law......Page 19 3. Moral Claims and Moral Appraisal......Page 38 II. MORAL REASONS TO OBEY THE LAW......Page 58 4. Legitimate Authority and the Duty to Obey......Page 60 5. Promissory Obligation: The Theme of Social Contract......Page 75 6. Utilitarianism: Consequential Reasons for Obedience......Page 107 7. Fair Play......Page 134 8. A Natural Duty to Obey: Benefit, Need, and Duty......Page 172 III. THE LIMITS OF JUSTIFIABLE DISOBEDIENCE......Page 218 9. Resolutions Among Competing Moral Grounds: The Absence of Clear Priorities......Page 220 10. Nonviolent Disobedience: Reasons, Tactics, Justification......Page 239 11. Violent Disobedience......Page 257 IV. INSTITUTIONS OF AMELIORATION......Page 282 12. Responses Within the Law to Moral Claims to Disobey......Page 284 13. General Justification—Necessity......Page 299 14. Conscientious Objection and Constitutional Interpretation......Page 324 15. Techniques of Amelioration in the Criminal Process: Nonprosecution, Nullification, Sentencing, and Pardon......Page 361 C......Page 390 D......Page 391 L......Page 392 N......Page 393 P......Page 394 U......Page 395 Z......Page 396 Deals with the issue of conscientious law-breaking - those instances in which individuals believe they have good moral reasons for breaking a particular law. This study is a comprehensive philosophical and legal examination of the issues involved. Annotation Drawing from numerous examples of conflicts between law and morality, Greenawalt illustrates in detail the positions and predicaments of potential lawbreakers and lawmakers alike