Thursday, April 9, 2009

Some Thoughts on Laws

Two types of laws, mala in se, are wrongs which are always evil in and of themselves (e.g., murder, rape), and mala prohibita, wrongs prohibited because of subjectivity (e.g., underage drinking, speeding).

What is "legal" is not necessarily right. What is right is very often "illegal".

Just because something is immoral doesn't mean it's illegal (e.g., abortion), and just because something is illegal doesn't mean it's immoral (e.g., prohibition).