Classical Stuff You Should Know 290: Civil Disobedience by David Henry Thoreau
Dec 16, 2025
Dive into the playful yet profound discussion on Civil Disobedience by Thoreau. The hosts explore his eccentric life and the influence of the Fugitive Slave Act and Mexican War on his ideals. Discover Thoreau's assertion that government should be minimal and the moral imperative to resist unjust laws immediately. They analyze tax refusal as a form of protest and debate the practical implications of universal disobedience. Thoreau's legacy, inspiring nonviolent resistance from Gandhi to modern movements, is also explored, highlighting the importance of moral courage in driving historical change.
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Conscience Over Law
- Thoreau links personal conscience to political action and insists individuals must not resign conscience to legislators.
- He argues the best government is one that governs least and ideally not at all.
Roots In Two Historic Wrongs
- The essay grows from opposition to the Fugitive Slave Act and the Mexican–American War, framing government as complicit in grave injustices.
- Thoreau saw refusing complicity as a moral duty when government policies are deeply unjust.
Refuse To Fund Immoral Acts
- Do avoid financially supporting policies you deem immoral by refusing to pay the taxes that fund them.
- Thoreau recommends selective participation: pay for roads and neighbors' goods but not for unjust wars or slavery.