Brownlee Flashcards
What is the difference between conviction and conscience?
Conviction is a deeply held moral belief, while conscience includes moral awareness, integrity, and responsiveness to one’s actions.
What are the four core elements of the Communicative Principle of Conscientiousness?
1) Consistency, 2) Universality of Judgment, 3) Non-evasion, 4) Dialogic Effort.
What does the Consistency Condition require?
A person’s actions must align with their beliefs as much as possible.
What does the Universality of Judgment Condition require?
A person must apply the same moral standards to others as they do to themselves.
What does the Non-evasion Condition require?
A person must be willing to face consequences for their beliefs and not avoid responsibility.
What does the Dialogic Effort Condition require?
A person must engage in discussion and attempt to persuade others rather than impose their views.
What is civil disobedience
A public, principled, and deliberate breach of the law aimed at communicating opposition to injustice.
What are the two types of civil disobedience?
Direct (breaking the law being protested) and Indirect (breaking a different law to protest an issue).
How is civil disobedience different from personal disobedience?
Civil disobedience is public and communicative, while personal disobedience is private and non-communicative.
What is assistive disobedience?
Breaking the law to help someone else, which also serves to condemn the law (e.g., assisting in euthanasia, freeing animals from labs).
What is radical protest?
llegal dissent involving violence, coercion, or intimidation, which lacks the constrained conscientiousness of civil disobedience.
How does Brownlee critique John Rawls’ view on civil disobedience?
She argues that civil disobedience does not always have to be non-violent, public, or accept punishment to be legitimate.
Why is violence problematic for civil disobedience?
It often undermines dialogue and alienates potential supporters.
Can modest coercion be part of civil disobedience?
Yes, minor disruptions (like roadblocks or sit-ins) can be justified if they still respect dialogue and reasoned engagement.
Why is non-evasion important in civil disobedience?
It shows sincerity—civil disobedients must be willing to take risks and not avoid consequences.
What makes civil disobedience distinct from ordinary crime?
Moral motivation, public communication, and a commitment to justice, rather than personal gain.
Why does Brownlee argue that publicity is not always necessary for civil disobedience?
Some protests must be secretive at first to avoid suppression (e.g., covert resistance against authoritarian regimes).
