Law - A Universal Savior

Rudolf Virchow, a world-renowned scientist once said, “Laws should be made, not against quacks, but against superstition.” Behind these powerful words is a hidden meaning. Something deep, yet blatantly visible. I’m sure, as all of you read this article, you will be informed about what Virchow meant when he said this.

But prior to explaining what Virchow meant, I want to put on the table, a few basic terminologies, that would be key to your understanding this essay.

1. Law – The word ‘law’ can be interpreted in many different ways. Personally, I would define it as a rule or regulation that is to be observed and followed by people of a society.

2. Society – This word simply means a group of people who interact with each other on a regular basis. People might interpret this as a community, a neighborhood, or even civilization or mankind on a whole.

Now that you’ve grasped these key concepts, let me explain to you, what is the necessity of these laws in a society.

Take for instance, you are driving your car down a road. You see people speeding heavily and down the road, you see that a car has been hit by a truck, the driver is thoroughly injured. The reason as to why we require laws in a society, enters here. It may have to do with something as small and minute as knowing how fast to go on which road to knowing how to deal and work on the stock market.

In every activity of our lives, laws play an active and all-important role. From buying groceries in our wholesale store, to driving back home, to practicing certain religions at home, to studying at various schools, everything is a part and parcel of law.

Our own birth and death is an active aspect of law. But why exactly would we require it?

The common answer would be that we would require laws to know our limits and what we can do where. Laws would be essential for us to know what we are entitled to and what we ought to do as a resident of a country. They play a vital role in safeguarding us from abuse and ensuring that we have the right to play a role in the political, social and economic development of the country.

But what if I argued that laws are more than just mere regulations that tell us what to do, what to eat, where to go and how to speak. What if I told you that laws could be looked at in a way that it never has been looked at before? Would people’s perspectives on laws being cruel and harsh change?

In my opinion, laws aren’t just rules that we as a society need to follow. I think that laws are much more than that. I think they are sentences or phrases that define people and tell the society who that person is. Laws are certain sentences that inform someone about a particular individual apart from his background and social status.

I feel that laws bring out the human side in us and help us ensure that in a society, everybody fits in. They teach us how to empathize with others and how to behave in public. My opinion is that they also teach us a plethora of values that we would have otherwise struggled to have learned. Paying taxes for example, teaches us to be responsible, manage time well and not procrastinate as often as we all do.

I believe that laws bring us closer together and help us know one another better too. Without these laws, we would be free to do anything we want to and reflecting on my fourteen years on this world and what I have seen of humanity, that would result in large-scale chaos and destruction.

Laws definitely do bring out the softer side of people and help in shaping and sharpening the corners of society. They help us enjoy numerous privileges and provide a lifeline for the unfortunate. It helps build the country as a whole and ensures that it is not only the wealthy that are prospering.

Laws can be implemented to also raise awareness regarding certain issues and help inform the public about what is going on around them. This in fact, is one of the most important reasons I believe that laws are required. Moreover, I believe, that laws enhance our critical thinking, collaboration, happiness and societal impact, all of which are crucial twenty first century skills that need to be cultivated.

Justice, another very important aspect of law, prevails due the law’s very existence. It avenges people who have been cheated and scammed and is, according to me, a voice for the people who don’t have one. It represents them and looks out for them.

Concluding, I would like to say that there are always two sides to the story. if we would stop looking at the wrong side of it, flip a few pages over and reach the right side, I am sure all of you will be looking at the necessity of law through the same retina. Again, there might be different interpretations, but the gist of it will definitely remain the same.

This would not only build a happy and developed community, but would also enhance mankind to think differently, be open and conscientious and make humanity more welcoming. According to me, this is why we need laws.

I would like to end this article by quoting Lydia Maria Child. “Law is not law if it violates the principle of eternal justice.” So, adhering to her meaningful words, let us look at law differently. Let us look at it as a savior, a messiah and a protector.

For law and only law will be required for the development of this world and the prosperity and contentment of humanity.

Jai Hind!