According to Henry David Thoreau, what idea is he supporting by saying to break the law when it involves injustice?

Henry David Thoreau is advocating for civil disobedience through his assertion that individuals should break laws when those laws perpetuate injustice. This concept emphasizes the moral obligation of individuals to resist governmental laws or actions that they deem unethical or harmful. Thoreau believed that active resistance to unjust laws was a form of moral integrity rather than merely passive acceptance of societal norms.

Civil disobedience is characterized by nonviolent action that seeks to bring attention to social injustices and ultimately seek reform. Thoreau's essay "Civil Disobedience" serves as a foundational text in this area, illustrating the importance of individual conscience and the idea that unjust laws govern without moral authority. This action is meant to communicate that legal compliance is not synonymous with moral correctness, thereby inspiring others to reconsider their roles within societal structures that support injustice.

The other concepts listed, such as anarchy, Marxism, and nonviolent protest, do not fully encapsulate his philosophy as distinctly as civil disobedience does. Anarchy, for instance, suggests a complete absence of government or authority. Marxism involves the critique of capitalism and class struggle, focusing on socio-economic ideologies rather than personal moral actions against specific laws. Nonviolent protest, while closely related, does