Andrea Baron Unit 1 Assignment February 9, 2011 Professor Mandel LS308 Law and Society

In society laws play a crucial role in guaranteeing the protection and the best interests for society. I believe that because I live in a democracy and because I have a voice in what laws say, I have a moral obligation to obey all laws, including those with which I disagree.

Morality has always been debated within our society. What is moral or just to me may not be moral or just to another. I make distinctions about laws based on religion, upbringing, education, and society. Some people might commonly feel that they are not doing anything wrong by disobeying certain laws, such as speed limits, legal drinking ages, and prohibition against downloading music over the Internet without paying for it. I believe that law governs behavior in virtually every aspect of society and on the occasion that morality no longer provided adequate behavioral control, a system of law logically developed.

Although I am not a religious person I do believe that the Ten Commandments outlined the foundation for law, as we know it today. It could be argued there are only three commandments that have a connection to law, but the Ten Commandments are an ethical foundation of the way people should behave in society and how people should respect others in society.

The core values of the way in which I was raised and the education I received taught me right from wrong. Having parents that held me accountable for my actions taught me the responsibility to be a person that would contribute successfully to society

in a respectful, just manner. My parents gave me freedom and allowed me to learn from my mistakes. They always gave me enough rope and if I chose to hang myself they would allow it happen. I believe that type of parenting allowed me to make positive decisions, because I did not want to forfeit the freedom they allowed me and there is a parallel with the philosophy in which they raised me and to make the correct decisions when it comes to obeying the law. While I cannot judge the way people chose to their raise children I can say without hesitation that having an open line of communication made me a better person. By having an open communication with my parents I was able to raise concerns about any conflicts I was facing which eliminated the possibility of doing something wrong or unjust.

Many philosophers, educational experts, and parents recognize that we are born helpless and need the care and guidance of mentors and parents well into the teen years and often beyond. More specifically, children need to learn how to live amicably in society. Historically, I believe that one of the responsibilities of schools has been to develop in kids both intellectual and moral virtues. Concern for the moral virtues, such as honesty, responsibility, and respect for others, is the domain of moral education. Moral education refers to helping kids acquire those virtues or moral habits that will help them individually live good lives and at the same time become productive, contributing members of society. Some might argue that it is only the responsibility of the parent to teach a moral education, but the school I attended believed in the philosophy that education and schooling was a part of instilling moral character in conjunction with open parenting.

Regardless of what one believes, it is our responsibility as citizens to always do the right thing when no one is looking. I think it is unfortunate when people do not have a parent or a mentor to teach them that. Elie Wiesel once said, Customs form us all, our thoughts, our morals, our most fixed beliefs; are consequences of our place of birth and I could not agree more.