"Obscene" episode

I believe that the episode of Law and Order we viewed in class, "Obscene" can negate both contradictory quotes presented to us. One states that, “A strict observance of the written laws is doubtless one of the highest virtues of a good citizen", and the other that, "Good people do not need laws to tell them to act responsibly, while bad people will find a way around the laws".


The first quote implies that by simply observing and following the law exemplifies the moral excellence or inherent goodness of a person, assuming that a good citizen is indeed a good person. And that is simply false. As seen in the episode, BJ violated no law with his ranting on the radio, but was obviously far from virtuous, promoting promiscuity and even harm to another person. Another example that negates this quote would be a good, law-abiding citizen that has a pornography addiction. There is nothing legally wrong with their behavior, but I think we would all agree that there is something morally wrong with it. Therefore, simply observing and following the rules set out does not make you and essentially good person.


The second quote can be challenged by the mother's actions in the episode. At first, she was portrayed as a good person with high moral standards for herself, her family, and society as a whole. However, her need for these moral standards to be heard and addressed by society, she made a very immoral decision in hopes of publicizing her campaign. In her eyes, she did nothing wrong and probably justified her actions by saying they were for the greater good of society. The law is necessary, in this case, because what is a justifiable action for one person is not a moral action. Another possible example of this would be if somebody who worked for a large company embezzled a sum of money, but instead of keeping it for themselves donated it to the poor. The company is so large, that this sum of money doesn't hurt it, and the person sees themselves as a modern-day Robin Hood. But in fact, they are breaking the law, harm is committed, and they should be punished. Well-intentioned or not, good person or bad, the law exists for a reason, and that is to protect people and society as a whole. Morally good people can cause harm just as easily as morally corrupt people, depending on their justification for their actions.