What is the larger moral issue at stake in the dispute between creon and antigone?

Answer

Religious beliefs and ethics versus Law/ Politics. Creon attempted to stop a religious process using his legal authority and status. Also, individual rights versus the majority and what they want/ need.
Perhaps the majority wanted the traitor left out there, but Antigone wanted her brother to go to the afterlife.

Answer

The conflict between Creon and Antigone is a representation of the tension between the Rule of Law (which requires that the law must apply to everyone equally for it to be capable of maintaining order) and the freedom and rights of the individual within civilized society.

Although Creon can see the inhumanity in denying Antigone the right to bury her beloved brother so that he may be put to rest with peace and dignity, he feels that the need to establish firm and consistent order through rigid and draconian laws was more pressing in the aftermath of the civil war that nearly led to Thebes' collapse.

This theme recurs regularly in current events when debating issues such as The Patriot Act, or the legitimacy of practices at Guantanamo Bay or of extaordinary rendition.

First answer by ID3494166787. Last edit by Silkiten. Contributor trust: 3 [recommend contributor]. Question popularity: 11 [recommend question]