Brain in a Vat Michael Huemer on Disobeying the Law
Oct 24, 2021
Michael Huemer, a philosopher known for his work in political philosophy, dives deep into the concepts of justice and law. He discusses the power of jury nullification, where juries can reject unjust laws, exemplified by the Zenger trial. Huemer contrasts justice with morality, advocating for a justice system that reflects societal intuitions. He addresses the complexities of laws, arguing for the repeal of unjust regulations like drug prohibitions, and emphasizes the importance of individual moral judgments in a fair legal system.
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Use Case Facts To Resist Unjust Laws
- Huemer advises jurors to acquit when they recognize a law as unjust, even if majority opinion supports it.
- He argues juries see case specifics and are less likely to abstractly punish unfairly.
Juries Exist To Check Unjust Laws
- Huemer admits judges usually judge better than juries on technical evidence and sentencing consistency.
- He says juries exist mainly to check unjust laws, not for superior factfinding.
A Minimalist Law Vision
- Huemer envisions fewer laws in a just society, leaning toward anarcho-capitalist common law.
- He suggests most economic regulations and victimless-crime bans would disappear.
