How did Henry David Thoreau defend individual conscience in Civil Disobedience?

In his influential essay Civil Disobedience, Henry David Thoreau defends the individual conscience by asserting that there is a "higher law" than the civil one, which must be followed regardless of legal consequences.12

Thoreau’s argument serves as a direct rebuttal to the Utilitarian view—specifically that of William Paley—which suggests that civil obedience is a moral duty based on the expediency or general welfare of the majority. Thoreau rejects this, arguing that such a framework ignores the moral responsibility of the individual. He maintains that in cases where the government acts unjustly—such as by supporting slavery or waging an imperialist war against Mexico—a person must prioritize justice over state-mandated convenience.12

Ultimately, Thoreau advocates for nonviolent resistance, famously stating that "under a government which imprisons any unjustly, the true place for a just man is also a prison," thereby positioning personal integrity as the ultimate authority over government policy.12