Beautiful Souls by Eyal Press, Chapter 3: The Rules of Conscience

Press opens his third chapter with the story of Henry David Thoreau and Thoreau’s famous support for claims of personal conscienceness and actions of civil disobedience. Press quotes Thoreau: “I am not responsible for the successful working of the machinery of society. The only obligation which I have a right to assume, is to do at any time what I think right.” Press insightfully evaluates Thoreau’s starkly individualistic claim, “[Thoreau’s claim] is a bracingly uncomprimising worldview. But if this is all that saying no entails, what beyond salving one’s own conscience comes of it? If one person’s subjective values can be invoked to break the law and resist government, why can’t another, radically different set of personal convictions?” (p. 87) Press continues to pose questions, but his point has already been made – who gets to decide “right” and “wrong.” Differing sides could take up the argument for a long time and ideological trench warfare ensues…if you are sceptical, look at Washington, D.C. and the lack of progress that has come out of the recent political quagmire there. Press introduces us to his main character of chapter 3, Avner Wishnitzer, and takes us on a journey describing Avner’s experience in the Israeli Army, a journey that helps to answer the question of personal conscience. Continue reading →