ответьте на вопросы. 1. What kind of society do we live in? 2. What is the society governed by? 3. What is the difference between laws and rules of morality? 4. Why do rules of morality and custom play an important role in our life? 5. Why are laws designed to control our behaviour? 6. What are the goals of law? 7. When do people turn to the law? 8. Why do we need law? По тексту:
Almost everything we do is governed by some set of rules. There are rules for games, for social clubs, for sports and for adults in the workplace. There are also rules imposed by morality and custom that play an important role in telling us what we should and should not do. However, some rules – those made by the state or the courts – are called “laws”. Laws resemble morality because they are designed to control or alter our behaviour. But unlike rules of morality, laws are enforced by the courts; if you break a law – whether you like that law or not – you may be forced to pay a fine, pay damages, or go to prison.
Why are some rules so special that they are made into laws? Why do we need rules that everyone must obey? In short, what is the purpose of law?
If we did not live in a structured society with other people, laws would not be necessary. We would simply do as we please, with little regard for others. But ever since individuals began to associate with other people – to live in society – laws have been the glue that has kept society together. For example, the law in our country states that we must drive our cars on the right-hand side of a two-way street. If people were allowed to choose at random which side of the street to drive on, driving would be dangerous and chaotic. Laws regulating our business affairs help to ensure that people keep their promises. Laws against criminal conduct help to safeguard our personal property and our lives.
Even in a well-ordered society, people have disagreements and conflicts arise. The law must provide a way to resolve these disputes peacefully. If two people claim to own the same piece of property, we do not want the matter settled by a duel: we turn to the law and to institutions like the courts to decide who is the real owner and to make sure that the real owner's rights are respected.
We need law, then, to ensure a safe and peaceful society in which individuals’ rights are respected. But we expect even more from our law. Some totalitarian governments have cruel and arbitrary laws, enforced by police forces free to arrest and punish people without trial. Strong-arm tactics may provide a great deal of order, but we reject this form of control. The legal system should respect individual rights while, at the same time, ensuring that society operates in an orderly manner. And society should believe in the Rule of Law, which means that the law applies to every person, including members of the police and other public officials, who must carry out their public duties in accordance with the law.
In our society, laws are not only designed to govern our conduct: they are also intended to give effect to social policies. For example, some laws provide for benefits when workers are injured on the job, for health care, as well as for loans to students who otherwise might not be able to go to university.
Another goal of the law is fairness. This means that the law should recognize and protect certain basic individual rights and freedoms, such as liberty and equality. The law also serves to ensure that strong groups and individuals do not use their powerful positions in society to take unfair advantage of weaker individuals.
However, despite the best intentions, laws are sometimes created that people later recognize as being unjust or unfair. In a democratic society, laws are not carved in stone, but must reflect the changing needs of society. In a democracy, anyone who feels that a particular law is flawed has the right to speak out publicly and to seek to change the law by lawful means.
We live in a structured society where individuals interact and associate with each other.
2. What is the society governed by?
Society is governed by rules and laws that regulate our behavior and interactions.
3. What is the difference between laws and rules of morality?
Laws are rules made by the state or the courts that are enforced and can lead to penalties if broken. They are designed to control or alter our behavior. On the other hand, rules of morality and custom are based on societal values and beliefs, and they guide us on what is right or wrong, without being enforced by the legal system.
4. Why do rules of morality and custom play an important role in our life?
Rules of morality and custom play an important role in our life because they guide us on how we should behave, what is considered acceptable in society, and they help maintain social order and harmony.
5. Why are laws designed to control our behaviour?
Laws are designed to control our behavior to ensure the safety, order, and well-being of society as a whole. They set boundaries on what is considered legal and illegal, and they aim to protect individuals and their rights.
6. What are the goals of law?
The goals of law include maintaining social order, protecting individual rights and freedoms, promoting fairness and equality, resolving disputes peacefully, and giving effect to social policies.
7. When do people turn to the law?
People turn to the law when they need to resolve disputes, seek justice, uphold their rights, or when they require legal protection and enforcement.
8. Why do we need law?
We need law to ensure a safe and peaceful society, where individuals' rights are respected, disputes are resolved fairly, and there is order and justice. Law provides a framework for social interactions, protects individuals from harm, and helps maintain a balance between individual freedoms and the greater good of society. Additionally, laws can support social policies and provide benefits and protections to individuals in areas such as healthcare, education, and labor rights. Laws can also evolve and be changed as society's needs and values change to ensure justice and fairness.