Abstract

This chapter analyzes why it may be okay for Veronica Mars to break the law. Breaking the law is something that we morally disapprove of. We have to follow the law because we said we would. It's easy, of course, to understand why we would make that promise: we get something valuable out of the deal too. Likewise, if the law is supposed to provide us with protection and justice in exchange for our obedience, but fails to hold up its end of the deal, then that might release us from the obligation to hold up ours. Now, the discussion shifts to Plato, who addressed a similar issue long ago and raised some points that might complicate the attempt to defend Veronica on these grounds. Veronica's law breaking can be seen as a protest or civil disobedience, a refusal to accept the rules imposed on her by an unjust society.