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Analyzing Cohen's Arguments For Civil Disobedience

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Analyzing Cohen's Arguments For Civil Disobedience
A venture in philosophical skepticism whose only practical effect might be to dissuade an isolated individual from civil disobedience on the basis of uncertainty. Cohen, a University of Michigan philosopher, posits that every citizen has a prima facie duty to obey the nation's laws; in knowingly breaking a law the disobedient has engaged in serious action, which is however less than revolutionary since he accepts the basic legitimacy of the authorities. Reviewing utilitarian arguments for civil disobedience, Cohen's gnawing doubts get the better of him: ""It is obvious that even the attempt at such a justification must be a very complicated affair."" The ""higher law"" argument is dispatched; free speech defenses are rejected by declaring civil disobedience other than a form of speech. …show more content…
Now for arguments presented against civil disobedience: of seven, Cohen concludes that none ""succeeds in showing that civil disobedience can never be justified."" Finally, the penetrating conclusion that ""Civil disobedience as a means is extraordinary, but, after all, so are the problems society sometimes confronts.""
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