#Oxford

‪@oxforduniversity‬ academic run through a past admissions interview question for law -- "Does law create morality, or does morality create law?"

[@BreezeTalk]

I really enjoy your videos, thank you so much.

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

Glad you like them!

[@in_solus]

Law and morality work in an interdependent manner, and go perfectly hand in hand. I say this because of two insights, Firstly, because initially, morality is taken into perspective while creating law, and law opens new avenues for morality to be manifested, take an example of a law related to littering, what the law can do here is reflect the general perception of morality that LITTERING IS INDEED WRONG, yet also influence how that morality is being manifested, for example by imposing a fine on littering or mandating a programme for the stoppage of littering. Secondly, morality in itself is not enough to uphold and maintain itself because immorality is also a possibility, hence to maintain and uphold and in a way mandate a certain expression of morality is a very crucial objective which the law very well achieves by putting insights of morality into a written manner. Also, writing this as a tenth grade student aspiring to be admitted to Oxford. Is my take good enough?

[@Maria-qp1dl]

Hey, thank you for your insightful videos. This is my favourite topic since Year 1 of Law school. I think that law was created to set some order in the society, not to set morality. As humans, we are inherently drawn to conflict so some order to the society is always good. Law can be moral and is drawn from a culture’s moral standards. I.e. in the U.S that means giving the federal states the right to ban abortions; in Saudi Arabia it means that women do not have full legal capacity and that they need a male guardian for most activities they undertake. This is not necessarily moral nor was it created to uphold a moral standard, it was created to set order in each of these cultures. Making rape illegal, even in a marriage, in Western European countries for example, is based on morality and on the human right that everyone is equal no matter of one’s ethnicity, skin colour, nationality, gender, status, etc.. And such laws go hand in hand to ensure their enforcement. In conclusion, law can be moral, but it is not always the case, nor does it have to be.

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

Thanks for your comment. That's really interesting, Matt

[@feona_106]

Professor Matt it would be great if you could do the past admissions interview for Diplomatic Studies.

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

Thanks for your comment. I'm afraid I have no idea what interview questions are used for diplomatic studies, and wouldn't want to guess. Sorry not to be more helpful!

[@jennifergoh9551]

Moral idealists say morality creates law. Moral situationists say it depends. Moral relativists say neither. Moral positivists say law creates morality.

[@TianyuSun]

However as mentioned in the video the inteviewers want YOUR reasoning rather than beliefs/famous quotes/house of thoughts. I guess this might not be an ideal answer(?)

[@zuckbamazuri]

What amounts to moral conduct differs over time. Law is influenced by standard of morality of a dominant religion then. What was immoral those days, i.e. homosexuality (as per the religion of Christianity) which later was codified as law, making such conduct not only immoral (then) but unlawful. However, as time passes by, the standard of morality has changed, so is the law. My humble opinion on this, the standard of morality creates the law of the day. It changes through time. Law is passed by humans now. It is no longer divinely ordained. Human thinking evolves, so is the law. That’s why law must be dynamic in nature and not some unrealistic statute that doesn’t best reflect the civilization of the society. Can I enroll in Oxford now??? Please take me 😆

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

Nice answer! Apply to Oxford!

[@zuckbamazuri]

@@JesusCollegeOxford1571 Will do!! That has always been my childhood dream

[@melisaakpnar1111]

@@zuckbamazuri have you applied yet? If you did, was it a successful application?

[@Dianaisdead-bz5or]

Humans deem what is moral and what is not just as they deem anything else, but morality needs to be, in this case a stepping stool to reach 'law'. Law is a human concept that stems from what they deem correct or incorrect so thereby law is a product of morality, people understand what's right and wrong (in their opinions or majority opinion) before implementing it. How's my take?

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

Very good! Some might argue that our nature (or even some universal morality) informs law. But you're making a strong case that law is entirely human-made.

[@Dianaisdead-bz5or]

​@JesusCollegeOxford1571 thank you! Oxford is my dream school!

[@nicholejonson2830]

「コンテンツを調整する必要があります」、

[@andylongley6098]

Why do the interviewers want to know how one thinks about law and morality?

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

They want to see how you would try and solve a complex puzzle like this. It’s not the content of your answer that matters, but how you reach an answer that they are interested in.

[@andylongley6098]

@@JesusCollegeOxford1571 Ah yes thank you.

[@amritsharmabanjade5794]

Law is a consequence of past events. We must at least be moral to fit in the world. Law encourages morality and many aspects of it. When boundaries of morality exceeded new law emerged. People are afraid to do immoral things. Being afraid is itself immoral. You have a choice even if you have a law. It starts with your thoughts and emotions. Therefore, morality creates law and harmony.

[@amritsharmabanjade5794]

Law must be based on Humanity.

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

Interesting points. Thank you!