Download Civil Disobedience Socratic Seminar Questions

Seminar Questions
Name_______________________________Per___
“Civil Disobedience” by Henry David Thoreau
Answer both questions A and B with a detailed, thoughtful answer.
A. Are we obligated to always obey the law? If yes, why? If no, what criteria can be used to determine when
disobedience is morally justified?
B. What should the consequences be for someone who breaks the law because of moral convictions?
After reading “Civil Disobedience,” (p. 390-396) use the back of the sheet to respond with a detailed,
thoughtful answer to the question you are assigned AND to one other question of your choice. Please identify
the questions you are answering.
1.
2.
3.
4.
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7.
8.
What word, phrase, or line do we need to understand to get to the heart of Thoreau’s ideas?
What does Thoreau want us to believe?
Do you like Thoreau’s viewpoint? Why or why not?
Which did Thoreau think was most important: that government should increase the material equality
between citizens, or that government should preserve the liberty of citizens? Relating this idea to the texts
we read last week, which do you think the 1776 generation (Thomas Paine, Patrick Henry, Thomas
Jefferson) would say was most important?
Thoreau begins with a quote from Thomas Jefferson: “That government is best which governs least.” In
what other ways is Thoreau’s thinking similar to Thomas Jefferson and others who signed the Declaration
of Independence? Can you see ways in which his thinking differs from theirs?
How would Thoreau answer these questions: Do we, as citizens, have responsibilities to society? What are
they? How would you answer the questions?
What kind of government does Thoreau advocate? Can we ever reach that kind of government? Would you
want to reach that kind of government?
Is our society today a democracy according to Thoreau? What areas of our government or current political
system, including the media, would Thoreau attack? Defend? What current leaders or public figures would
Thoreau admire? Detest?