Is it OK to break the law?

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I am socially conditioned into doing "good". I am so virtuous and kind that people like me for it.

A sociopath family member often lectures me on seeing the world as "for the taking". This person will comfortably break unwritten rules, because generally unwritten rules can be excused as "Oh, well I didn't know ...".

For example, a hotel had coupon books for newly checked-in guests, and there is an unwritten rule of one per guest.

This person implicitly knows this rule, and does not ask to have it clarified. Rather, this person waits until the receptionist leaves, and grabs all the books.

If caught, the person would just say, "Oh, really? One per guest ? OK. Well, I know now ". (Though, the person would disregard such knowledge per a future event).

In the UK in the early 90's people were sent to prison for not paying the Poll Tax, which was deemed by most people to be an unfair tax that many could not afford to pay. But the law said they were criminals for not paying and they were sent to prison. But years later the European courts overruled the sentences and those imprisoned people were given compensation.

Most laws are there for a reason and we all agree they need to be there, but sometimes a law is suspect.

I think it's okay to break the law as long as it makes sense.

Smoking marijuana is illegal but the mere act of smoking marijuana causes no one harm except for possibly yourself.

Buying marijuana from drug dealers who have gotten it through sketchy sources is a more difficult ethical question.

Breaking the law is fine, as long as you don't hurt anyone other than yourself. You must be willing to accept going to prison though......

Case in point...don't talk back to police offers. They are corrupt but if you don't want to go to prison, play nice.

In my opinion it depends on the law.

I don't even know if it's ok to break the law or not.

All I know is, it's best not to get caught.

First of all, yes, if it means your survival and well being. It's ok to break the law if you are stealing/shop lifting food to feed yourself or your family. It's not your fault if can't get a job because of the bad enomony, your disability, being laid off or lack of jobs in the local labor market. Also our society has trained people to
It's NOT OK to break the law by shop lifting something such as a video game just because you want it and don't have enough money.

These are just two examples. Breaking the law in certain situations can be subjective. Everyone has the right to live and to be healthy.

There's also the political side of things like Corporations and Lobbyists changing or bending the laws in their favor by forcing people in the welfare state and poverty; while at the same time manipulating these same people to be dependent on the grocery stores rather growing your own food and buying things they don't need and can't afford. Poverty kills more people than terrorism and homicide combined.

Sometimes it is a good thing to break the law especially if the laws a re old and out dated.

Breaking certain laws can bring about positive change.

If a law would require wrongdoing, then it is better to be a lawbreaker. Breaking laws just to break them however,... that is not cool.