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Delve into the profound themes of resistance, morality, and the individual's role in society with "On the Duty of Civil Disobedience (Version 3)." This podcast invites listeners to explore the...
show more
Delve into the profound themes of resistance, morality, and the individual's role in society with "On the Duty of Civil Disobedience (Version 3)." This podcast invites listeners to explore the philosophical underpinnings of dissent and the moral imperatives that challenge unjust governance. Each episode features a new complete audiobook that examines the complexities of civil disobedience, encouraging critical thought about the nature of authority and the responsibilities of citizens. Through a rotating collection of related works, listeners will encounter diverse narratives that illuminate the struggles against oppression and the courage it takes to stand up for one's convictions. This is not a single story but a series of unique explorations that broaden the understanding of justice and the power of individual conscience. Join us to discover a new book with every episode, and engage with the timeless question of how far we should go to uphold our beliefs in the face of authority.
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On the Duty of Civil Disobedience (Version 3)
On the Duty of Civil Disobedience (Version 3)
1800s GenreEpisodes & Posts
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3 AUG 2026 · "On the Duty of Civil Disobedience" by Henry David Thoreau is a powerful essay that explores the moral imperative of resisting unjust laws and government actions. Thoreau argues that individuals have a responsibility to stand against oppression and to act according to their conscience, a message that remains profoundly relevant in today's world. His call for civil disobedience serves as a timeless reminder of the importance of individual agency in the face of authority. This work encourages listeners to reflect on their own beliefs and the role of activism in fostering social change, making it an enduring piece that resonates with anyone who values justice and moral integrity.
Transcribed
24 JUN 2026 · "That government is best which governs least" is the famous opening line of this essay. The slavery crisis inflamed New England in the 1840s and 1850s. The environment became especially tense after the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850. A lifelong abolitionist, Thoreau delivered an impassioned speech which would later become Civil Disobedience in 1848, just months after leaving Walden Pond. The speech dealt with slavery, but at the same time excoriated American imperialism, particularly the Mexican–American War. Thoreau asserts that because governments are typically more harmful than helpful, they therefore cannot be justified. Democracy is no cure for this, as majorities simply by virtue of being majorities do not also gain the virtues of wisdom and justice. The judgment of an individual's conscience is not necessarily inferior to the decisions of a political body or majority, and so "[i]t is not desirable to cultivate a respect for the law, so much as for the right. The only obligation which I have a right to assume is to do at any time what I think right.... Law never made men a whit more just; and, by means of their respect for it, even the well-disposed are daily made the agents of injustice." He adds, "I cannot for an instant recognize as my government [that] which is the slave's government also." from Wikipedia
Delve into the profound themes of resistance, morality, and the individual's role in society with "On the Duty of Civil Disobedience (Version 3)." This podcast invites listeners to explore the...
show more
Delve into the profound themes of resistance, morality, and the individual's role in society with "On the Duty of Civil Disobedience (Version 3)." This podcast invites listeners to explore the philosophical underpinnings of dissent and the moral imperatives that challenge unjust governance. Each episode features a new complete audiobook that examines the complexities of civil disobedience, encouraging critical thought about the nature of authority and the responsibilities of citizens. Through a rotating collection of related works, listeners will encounter diverse narratives that illuminate the struggles against oppression and the courage it takes to stand up for one's convictions. This is not a single story but a series of unique explorations that broaden the understanding of justice and the power of individual conscience. Join us to discover a new book with every episode, and engage with the timeless question of how far we should go to uphold our beliefs in the face of authority.
show less
Information
| Author | 1800s Genre |
| Organization | 1800s Genre |
| Categories | Books , History , Government |
| Website | - |
| spreaker76@podcastlibrary.org |
Copyright 2026 - Spreaker Inc. an iHeartMedia Company
