According to Stanford University, civil disobedience is a “non-violent and conscientious breach of law” with the purpose of bringing about change. It is usually motivated for moral, religious or philosophical reasons, and often regarding a social or human rights issue. Civil disobedience is to intentionally not comply with a law, with a purpose of enacting a change to the law. It is to take “action” to seek change (Delmas & Brownlee, 2021). For it to be true civil disobedience, those participating must be willing to accept the consequences for breaking the law (Chong, 2001). This is one point that is critical in defining civil disobedience. A person who breaks the law and evades responsibility is not participating in civil disobedience, but is simply breaking the law. Civil disobedience, often referred to as the “nonviolent action”, can not be violent, or have a threat of violence. It must also be public. Actions made anonymously, or evading consequences for actions, can not be considered acts of civil disobedience (Chong, 2001).
To determine if civil disobedience is ethically acceptable, you must consider the framework you are using. In many frameworks, such as rights, care, virtue or justice, I think it is unethical to not speak up, to not draw attention, or take action to try to correct an injustice. The desire to correct an issue where rights are being violated, where justice isn’t being carried out, or where care and empathy are not being displayed, is moral and virtuous, and in my opinion, ethical. One must also remember that ethics are not laws, and although civil disobedience may be breaking laws, that does not mean it is unethical (Swick, 2023).
Although I view civil disobedience in its true form as ethical, what is often called “civil disobedience” by groups engaging in it is, in fact, not civil disobedience. When ALL the criteria are not met, or the moment it is no longer civil, it becomes unethical. In these scenarios, I think it is absolutely appropriate for individuals to be punished. In Morality Play, a number of actions taken by the group Earth Liberation Front (ELF) were described (Pierce, 2014). I was shocked that this group believes they are engaging in civil disobedience. To me, their actions were dangerous, criminal, unethical, and deserving of punishment. Burning down buildings, forcefully imposing your will on others, destruction of personal property, violence, actual or perceived, is not civil disobedience. In these cases, individuals should be held accountable. Although the cause may be just, and the desire to right wrongs may be admirable, I do not feel that the ends justify the means.
References -
Delmas, C., & Brownlee, K. (2021, June 2). Civil Disobedience. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/civil-disobedience/#Noneva
Chong, D. (2001). Civil Disobedience. Civil Disobedience - an Overview . https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/computer-science/civil-disobedience
Swick, L. (2023). Guide to Ethics. Brightspace. https://learn.snhu.edu/d2l/le/content/1401293/viewContent/27031773/View
Pierce, J. (2014). Morality Play: Case studies in Ethics. Waveland Press.