Morality in Politics Essay

People argon forced to verbal expression object lesson challenges in making day-to-day finales. When it comes to benefitting individual and societal good, the great enquiry of politics is raised what is the right thing to do? In Sophocles Antig wiz, on that point is a dilemma whether to abide by the equitys of the gods above the righteousnesss of the aver. Antigone makes a decision that non totally affects her future only if the future of the state nether her uncles rule. Antigone gains a high object lesson sense in that she surveiled the rights of the gods and therefrom did the morally right choice going against state laws, either reason can be deemed as morally correct.In this essay it give be argued that citizens should be free to disobey state laws when scruples dictates. Sophocles crop enacts the moral conflict of power between the laws of the gods and the laws of state. He presents the reader with a dilemma involving spiritual rituals passed down in the fami ly and a new law passed by a ruler of the state. Antigone and her uncle, Creon, save a different bound of determine. Creon, the ruler of Thebes, values 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 ad-lib 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 proper burial ritual against Creons will. Antigone considers her uncles laws as sacrilege. Creon idea that his decision would bring stability to his state, as he claimed that by degeneration 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 verticalify her decision s, with the pickings 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 instead 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 more grievous, at the worst, than finis, with honour, (Sophocles, Antigone, 4) she courageously effect her duties as a religious being. Many citizenry would applaud Antigones bravery, for any hidden concern should be allowed to challenge the public good. In doing so, I believe that those private interests could pointtually turn into a public interest.In the play, a prophet visits Creon to warn him of the consequences that perk up been brought about from his dirty 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 wariness to an issue that otherwise would have been ignored. champion great example in our society is during the Civil Rights era Martin Luther queen Jr.s actions brought great attention to the issue of racial segregation. He believed that it was right to openly get into a law that was not supposed(p) to be a law at all. His actions although non-violent broke many laws that were made to impede success among the African American population in the U. S. He believed that by publicly and consciously break of serve the law exposes brutality and promotes participation. In doing so, the people against the law were perceived as being brave and those reflection were forced to question what was only.When issues become public and catch the interest of the legal age of the people in the polis, the brass is forced to do something about it. Creon responded with a stern and much 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 fadeed complete domination of political power. The customary population supported Antigone but they were too afraid to say anything until they ultimately felt that something must be done. Creon was running 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 also speak against their ruler. It might be objected that when someone disobeys state laws whenever their conscience dictates th ey are only helping themselves, the person breaking the law is not thinking about the common good but quite a fulfilling their own good or promoting anarchy. Civil disobedience may reckon reasonable when we consider Martin Luther King Jr. s situation but it may not always be driven with good intentions.By disobeying, regardless of good or bad intentions, they are hurting the stability of the state. Creon argues, Obedience is due to the state 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 plow to please themselves in breaking the laws of the state that they will eventually break all(prenominal) law and lose all respect for the state. Civil disobedience may not always serve the public good and only serve to undermine order.Breaking a law weakens the state and its order, it promotes anarchy and disrespe cts authority. It should not be encouraged or tolerated. It is a civic virtue to abide by the laws of the state it is what leads to its success and stability. By breaking the law Antigone was faced 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 worth 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 annals 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 favour 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. Like Socrates, those who fight for urbane rights and follow what they believe to be morally correct are aw are(predicate) 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 prove to the state that their morals are essential and can withstand any punishment. In facing moral challenges one is often forced to face it is always difficult to trace what is right and what is wrong. Everyone has different values and obligations. Here, Antigones values outweighed Creons irresistibly 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 tha t 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.