Homework on Civil Disobedience & The Crito

You will probably have to read all of Civil Disobedience before answering these questions; for the stuff on the Crito, focus on the last 1/3 of the text, starting where it says "Cr. I cannot tell, Socrates, for I do not know." What you turn in does not need to include the questions; just put the answers (and, of course, number them). Put all answers in your own words.

1. a. Does Thoreau believe that we should or should not respect the law? (1 pt) (your answer should be "He thinks we should respect the law," or "He thinks we should not respect the law.")
b. What reasons does he give for this view? (1 pt)

2. In p.3 Thoreau says that it is a disgrace to be associated with the American government of his day.
a) What about the American government of his day displeased Thoreau (according to this essay)? (1pt)
b) If Thoreau was alive today, what about the American government of today would be likely to displease him? (1pt)

3. According to Thoreau, do we have an obligation to work directly to change unjust laws (as opposed to doing actions that may eventually and indirectly lead to their change)? Why or why not? (2pts)

4. Socrates says that there is an implied contract between the citizen and the state (that says that the citizen will obey the laws of the state). What, according to him, creates this contract? (2 pts)

5. Socrates claims that we should obey the state - being the state's "child and slave."
a. What reasons does he give for this claim? (1 pt)
b. Are you convinced by his argument? Why or why not? (1 pt)