Law and Morality Flashcards
What is the definition of a law?
Laws are rules and regulations that are objective and not necessarily fault-based
What are morals?
Morals are subjective personal codes of values or beliefs that are based on levels of fault and determine what is right or wrong
What do positivists believe?
They are those who see legality as the only authority and believe that morals are subjective and therefore should only inform the individuals own actions
What is a pluralistic society?
A society that has many different cultures, races, religions, ideologies, classes etc
Differences between law and morals
Laws are made by formal institutions and can be instantly made or repealed, morals change slowly over time, along with societies views. Laws are concrete and their existence can be established, morals are more abstract and can be vaguely defined
What do natural theorists believe in relation to law and morality?
They argue that in order to be valid the law must coincide with natural law
What do positivists believe in relation to law and morality?
They look more scientifically at the law. If a law has been correctly made it should normally be obeyed even if it is immoral
