Context: In 2014 the federal government denied Corinthian Colleges, a for-profit post-secondary education company, access to federal aid because they falsified graduation records and engaged in deceptive advertising practices. They were forced to shut down or sell most of their colleges and are now the subject of numerous investigations. The closing and ongoing scandal, however, leaves many students with expensive student loan and poor prospects for employment.
In 2015, fifteen former students decided to go on a "loan strike" and are refusing to pay back their student loans. They claim that the school engaged in deceptive practices and are striking to demand the Education Department forgive the debts. They are fully aware of the financial ramifications of their decision, yet for those striking, it is a way to rectify injustice. They maintain they were deceived by an institution, which was authorized by the government to provide access to education funding. They do not believe it is fair for them repay student loans given the deceptive practices of Corinthian Colleges. Is this act of civil disobedience a just action?
Craft a post in which you do the following.
First, make a moral claim, something along these lines: "The student loan strikers are (or are not) justified refusing to pay back their loans."
Second, support your claim. This section should address these questions. When are acts of civil disobedience justified? What justifies them? Does this refusal count as an act of civil disobedience? Third, anticipate and respond to criticisms.