cross-posted from: https://exploding-heads.com/post/415215

I was revisiting thinking of the virtue of obedience and various issues that may come up with respect to it. Some authorities may make non-authoritative commands, or sinful commands, or some people may make commands who do not possess authority. I recall people arguing the “Nuremberg Defense” that Nazis were “just following orders” (being obedient to the Nazi political authorities) was not valid. Civil rights movements have promoted the idea of “civil disobedience” over laws which were not sinful, but which created inconveniences. The idea of “American freedom” to pursue one’s self-interest may seem to be contrary to obedience, when taken without limit.

Have you run in to instances as these or have some to bring up to discuss?