1. According to Martin Luther King Jr., the difference between just and unjust laws can be determined by evaluating whether the law is in harmony with moral principles and whether it treats all people equally. A just law promotes fairness and applies equally to all people, regardless of their race, religion, or background. An unjust law, on the other hand, is one that degrades human dignity, discriminates against people, or treats them unequally. Unjust laws come from systems that oppress certain groups of people. King suggests that if a law is unjust, people have a moral duty to disobey it, especially when it contradicts higher moral principles.
  2. The distinction between just and unjust law is important because understanding the difference helps guide our actions as individuals and as a society. It challenges us to question laws that perpetuate inequality or injustice. This understanding can influence how people live their lives by encouraging them to stand up for what is right, even when it means going against authority. It can inspire advocacy for policy change. If society recognizes a law as unjust, it can lead to movements, protests, and political change, as seen during the Civil Rights Movement. A society that is aware of this distinction is more likely to push for social justice.
  3. Many argue that the death penalty is an unjust law. MLK’s definition of an unjust law would apply here because the death penalty can be seen as degrading human dignity, and it does not treat all people equally. An example of a just law can be the Disability acts. According to MLK’s definition, this law promotes equality and respects human dignity by preventing discrimination against people regardless of their physical abilities, and ensures they have the same opportunities and rights.

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