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An Analysis of Henry David Thoraeu's Civil Disobedience

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An Analysis of Henry David Thoraeu's Civil Disobedience explores the seminal essay in which Thoreau questions the duty of citizens to support governmental actions. It highlights Thoreau's argument that individuals must oppose unjust government policies and actively resist when their conscience demands it, marking a significant challenge to the prevailing views of his time.
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book is suited to readers interested in philosophy, political theory, and the history of civil rights activism, particularly those seeking insight into the foundations of civil disobedience.

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Originally published in 1866, Civil Disobedience asks when - and in what circumstances - an individual should actively oppose government and its justice system. Thoreau's argument is that opposition is legitimate whenever government actions or institutions are unacceptable to an individual's conscience.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

In Civil Disobedience, Henry David Thoreau looks at old issues in new ways, asking: is there ever a time when individuals should actively oppose their government and its justice system?

After a thorough review of the evidence, Thoreau comes to the conclusion that opposition is legitimate whenever government actions or institutions are unacceptable to an individual’s conscience. What is particularly interesting is that Thoreau’s creative mind took him deeper into the argument, as he concluded that this legitimate opposition really wasn’t enough. In Thoreau’s opinion, anyone who believed something to be wrong had a duty to resist it actively.

These ideas were completely at odds with the prevailing opinions of the day – that it was the duty of every citizen to support the state. Thoreau connected ideas and notions in a novel manner and went against the tide, generating new hypotheses so that people could see matters in a new light. It is a mark of the success of his creative thinking that his views are now considered mainstream, and that his arguments are still deployed in defence of the principle of civil disobedience.

Series: The Macat Library

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781912127054

Publisher: Macat International Limited

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 15 July 2017

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Macat International Limited

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 114g

Pages: 80

About the Author

Mano Toth is researching for a PhD in poltics at the University of Cambridge.

Dr Jason Xidias has held positions at King’s College London and the University of California, Berkeley.

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