Laws are an indispensable pillar of any civilized society, serving as the bedrock for maintaining order, justice, and protecting individual freedoms, creating a system that encompasses legislation, judiciary, and enforcement. They provide a framework that governs our interactions, resolves conflicts, and ensures the smooth functioning of societies. Laws also provide a sense of order and stability in society. （ ① ） establishing guidelines for behavior, laws discourage and penalize actions that would disrupt social harmony. They outline acceptable conduct, delineate rights and responsibilities, and facilitate predictability in human interactions.The concept of law can be traced back to the earliest human societies. As humans gathered into communities, they recognized the need for rules to govern behavior, prevent harm, and promote collective well-being. As time advanced, there was remarkable case fought for freedom of speech. Nothing else better represents it than the case of Socrates’s. Here is a simplified story of what happened to him in the ancient time.
Socrates was an influential philosopher in Athens who questioned conventional beliefs and challenged the authority of the city-state’s democratic government. He was accused of impiety (disrespecting the gods) and corrupting the youth of Athens through his philosophical teachings. During his trial, Socrates defended himself by engaging in philosophical dialogue with his accusers and the jury. （②） delivering a compelling defense, which emphasized the importance of seeking wisdom and the pursuit of truth, Socrates was found guilty by a narrow margin.
The jury sentenced Socrates to death by drinking a cup of poison hemlock. Socrates accepted the verdict and calmly carried out the execution, becoming a symbol of intellectual integrity and standing up for one’s beliefs. The trial of Socrates holds immense historical significance as it raises important questions about the role of philosophy, the limits of free speech, and the relationship（③） an individual and the state. It serves （④） a cautionary tale about the potential dangers of a democratic system suppressing intellectual dissent and the importance of critical thinking and open dialogue in society. The trial and execution of Socrates had a profound influence on subsequent Western philosophy, with his student Plato dedicating several dialogues to the events surrounding the trial. Socrates’ martyrdom and the subsequent reflection on his life and teachings shaped the development of philosophy and the understanding of justice for centuries to come.
（⑤）laws protecting freedom, there are laws in place that prohibit discrimination, division, and defamation. Recently there was a breaking news story that quickly spread throughout Japan about a tragic incident involving a TV star who took their own life. This individual identified as LGBTQ+ and was born male but identified as female. イThey faced numerous challenges throughout their life. They discovered their true identity during their school years and bravely confided in their mother, who unfortunately responded with hurtful words like, ‘I raised you wrongly.’ This deeply affected their mental state, and they began to accumulate sadness day after day. With the recent passage of a new LGBTQ protection law in the Diet, they received significant media attention but also experienced a surge of defamation. ロ(it place stronger combat had laws in to been defamation for), this individual might have been spared from such a tragic fate.
In conclusion, from Socrates’s, it is crucial to educate citizens about their rights and the laws that protect them. By fostering legal literacy, individuals can understand their rights, hold authorities accountable, and actively participate in shaping the legal system. Laws continuously evolve to adapt to societal changes and emerging challenges. Citizens can advocate for legal reforms, engage in peaceful protests, and participate in democratic processes to influence legislation. Active engagement with lawmakers and legal institutions can promote the enactment of laws that further protect freedom and liberty. A robust judicial system that upholds the rule of law is essential for ensuring freedom and liberty. An independent judiciary acts as a check on arbitrary exercises of power, protects individual rights, and ensures fair and impartial adjudication. Upholding the principles of due process and equal protection under the law enhances citizens’ trust in the legal system.
設 問
1.（①）（②）（③）（④）（⑤）に入る適切な語下の語群から選びなさい。
by, despite, between, as, in addition to, due to, thanks to,
2.下線部を和訳しなさい。
3.
イを表すものは何か？
ロを入れ替えなさい。
4.What is the best title for the passage?
a.Why are there increasing rate of crimes here and there?
b.Where did the law come from?
c.What is law? Why we need it? Foundation of society
d.Socrates. The Father of freedom of speech
選択問題
1.Laws serve as the foundation for maintaining order, justice, and protecting individual freedoms. What purpose do laws primarily serve?
a) To create conflict
b) To disrupt social harmony
c) To establish guidelines for behavior
d) To limit human interactions
2.During his trial, Socrates defended himself by engaging in philosophical dialogue with his accusers and the jury. What did his defense emphasize?
a) The importance of seeking wisdom and the pursuit of truth
b) The need for strict adherence to the democratic government
c) The dangers of questioning conventional beliefs
d) The benefits of corrupting the youth of Athens
3.Socrates was found guilty by the jury and sentenced to death by:
a) Hanging
b) Beheading
c) Poison hemlock
d) Firing squad
4.The trial of Socrates raises important questions about the role of philosophy, the limits of free speech, and the relationship between:
a) Philosophy and democracy
b) Philosophy and justice
c) Free speech and democracy
d) Free speech and justice
5.The trial and execution of Socrates had a profound influence on subsequent Western philosophy. Who dedicated several dialogues to the events surrounding the trial?
a) Aristotle
b) Plato
c) Socrates himself
d) Pythagoras
6.The recent breaking news story in Japan involved a tragic incident where a TV star, who identified as LGBTQ+, took their own life. What could have potentially saved them from such a fate?
a) Stricter defamation laws
b) Stricter laws prohibiting discrimination
c) Weaker protection laws for LGBTQ+ individuals
d) Weaker protection laws against defamation
7.By fostering legal literacy, individuals can understand their rights, hold authorities accountable, and actively participate in shaping the legal system. What can legal literacy help citizens achieve?
a) Limit their rights and freedoms
b) Ignore authorities and disrupt the legal system
c) Understand and protect their rights
d) Avoid participating in democratic processes
8.Citizens can advocate for legal reforms, engage in peaceful protests, and participate in democratic processes to influence legislation. What can active engagement with lawmakers and legal institutions promote?
a) The enactment of laws that limit freedom and liberty
b) The overthrow of the legal system
c) The enactment of laws that further protect freedom and liberty
d) The establishment of an authoritarian government
What is the role of an independent judiciary in upholding the rule of law?
a) To protect individual rights and ensure fair and impartial adjudication
b) To exercise arbitrary power and limit individual rights
c) To undermine the legal system and disrupt social harmony
d) To enact laws and legislation
10.Upholding the principles of due process and equal protection under the law enhances citizens’ trust in the legal system. What does a robust judicial system ensure?
a) Arbitrary exercises of power
b) Individual rights and fair adjudication
c) Limited access to justice
d) Unfair and biased decisions
annotation
*Legislation:
Legislation refers to the process of creating laws or statutes. It involves the formulation, enactment, amendment, and repeal of laws by a legislative body, such as a parliament or congress. The purpose of legislation is to establish rules and regulations that govern various aspects of society, including civil rights, criminal offenses, taxation, business practices, and more. In a democratic system, legislation is typically carried out by elected representatives who consider the needs and interests of the population when drafting and passing laws.
*Judiciary:
The judiciary is the branch of government responsible for interpreting and applying the law. It comprises a system of courts and judges who adjudicate legal disputes and ensure that laws are interpreted and applied fairly and consistently. The judiciary acts as a neutral arbiter, independent of the legislative and executive branches, and its role is to uphold the rule of law. Judges review the facts and evidence presented in cases, interpret the law, and deliver judgments or verdicts. They also play a crucial role in safeguarding individual rights, protecting the constitution, and resolving conflicts between individuals, organizations, or the state.
*Enforcement:
Enforcement refers to the implementation and execution of laws, regulations, and court decisions. It involves various law enforcement agencies, such as the police, regulatory bodies, and other authorized personnel, who ensure compliance with the law and maintain public order. Enforcement may include investigating and preventing crimes, apprehending offenders, conducting inspections, issuing fines or penalties for violations, and taking necessary actions to enforce court judgments. The enforcement process aims to deter unlawful behavior, protect public safety, and ensure that the decisions and rulings made by the judiciary are respected and followed.