It’s sad that this conversation is one that even needs to be had, but alas, it does. So, what I’d like to say is this: “Legal” and “right,” as well as “illegal” and “wrong,” are not interchangeable words. Though people may use them in similar ways, they are not the same things and should not be treated as such.
In America we often do this thing where we will use the fact that something is against the law as a reason to say that it is “wrong.” For example, somewhere on most gas station doors you’ll see a sign that reads “Purchasing tobacco for minors: It’s not just wrong, it’s against the law.” It may not be in those exact words but that is what it says. Look for it next time. It’s like doing something “against the law” is the epitome of wrong-doing, and that is just plain bad logic. That kind of thinking – that breaking the law is innately immoral – is actually common to many dystopian, tyrannical societies… much like the one you see in the book 1984.
Just because something is considered illegal doesn’t mean that it is necessarily wrong. It may be illegal in some countries to voice your opinions on certain topics, but that doesn’t mean that it is wrong to voice your opinion in general. Also, just because something is “the law” doesn’t mean that it shouldn’t be broken. Here in America, it is (or seems that it is, or could be?) against the law to be a whistleblower, but that doesn’t mean that people shouldn’t be exposing government crimes to the public.
On the flip side, just because something is legal doesn’t mean it is good or that it is something that should be done. When people use loopholes in the laws to get away with things like evading taxes, getting custody of children when they’re unfit to parent, and paying employees less than minimum wage, they may be doing something that is technically “legal,” but that doesn’t mean that any of those things are an example of “good conduct.”
I think the reason that people seem to confuse legality and morality so often is because many of those people don’t even understand what their own morals are. Lots of people think they understand what’s right and wrong – i.e.: don’t kill – but may have never thought about why it is that we don’t kill people. People seriously don’t take the time to think about their morals – or what they believe – very often, and many actually end up with all kinds of double-standards about things without even realizing it (much like how doublethink works in 1984).
Those who are in Power would love nothing more than for the so-often Lazy American Public to leave it up to Them to decide right and wrong for us. Please, don’t let that happen.
Try and think about why it is that you have the morals that you do. What are the principles behind the things you believe people should and should not do? Until you have thought about this – really thought about it – you honestly have no place (yet) to talk about what “is right” and what “is wrong.”
I love you all.
Keep Thinking.
❤
P.S. If you enjoyed this, you might like this post of mine on Morality. (;
Evolved Love 