# How does Thoreau define unjust laws?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-thoreau-define-unjust-laws/652576>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [March 10, 2013, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-thoreau-define-unjust-laws/652576 "2013-03-10T21:46:22Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![andstufflikethat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/51bf81/32.png) [@andstufflikethat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andstufflikethat)\
**Post date:** [March 10, 2013, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-thoreau-define-unjust-laws/652576/1 "2013-03-10T21:46:22Z")

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Not just what we should do about them. I’m working on a paper comparing legality to ethics and researching different definitions.

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**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\
**Post date:** [March 10, 2013, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-thoreau-define-unjust-laws/652576/2 "2013-03-10T21:55:17Z")

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Is this a homework question then?

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**Author:** ![andstufflikethat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/51bf81/32.png) [@andstufflikethat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andstufflikethat)\
**Post date:** [March 10, 2013, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-thoreau-define-unjust-laws/652576/3 "2013-03-10T22:02:07Z")

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It is one small thing I want to include in my essay. I’ve read Civil Disobedience but can’t find a concrete definition. For example, MLK’s definition: “Any law that uplifts human personality is just. Any law that degrades human personality is unjust.”

This isn’t an assigned essay prompt if that is what you’re asking.

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**Author:** ![coffeecat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/coffeecat/32/3405_2.png) [@coffeecat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coffeecat)\
**Post date:** [March 10, 2013, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-thoreau-define-unjust-laws/652576/4 "2013-03-10T23:04:37Z")

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He doesn’t define it. Maybe he thought it’s self evident if you’re honest with yourself and in tune with the Oversoul.