A Staunch Libertarian Friend of mine suggested society only needs 2 laws

[Gemdealer]

I wonder could a society survive and function well if it had these two laws:

1. Do as you said you would.
2. Do not impinge on private property or person.

All infringements of these laws should be decided by Jury.

It seemed very simplistic and daft at first, but now I have thought about it a lot more I can see what he means.

There certainly does seem to be too much government and too many laws.

[BADecker]

Those laws are not two. They are one. They have to do with not harming another person's property.

If you say something, and then break what you say, you have harmed another person who is depending on what you said, just as though you had harmed his body-property or other property.

There are two laws. They are the Golden Rule.
1. Love God above all things.
2. Love your neighbor as yourself.

If you don't believe in God, then you are damaging your family.

If you love your fellow human beings as yourself, you will attempt to do good for them in every way, not just by your agreements and contracts, nor simply by not harming their property directly, but in every way.

[Gervais]

Those laws are not two. They are one. They have to do with not harming another person's property.

If you say something, and then break what you say, you have harmed another person who is depending on what you said, just as though you had harmed his body-property or other property.

I think this is what most laws should be based on. If something doesn't harm, hurt or endanger someone else then it shouldn't be a crime ie drugs etc. I think there are too many laws but I don't think society would function very well with just two or even a handful.

There are two laws. They are the Golden Rule.
1. Love God above all things.
2. Love your neighbor as yourself.

If you don't believe in God, then you are damaging your family.

You only need the second one as god doesn't have anything to do with anyone, but still not sure whether you're a troll or not 

[Tusk]

Two laws are good for me
1) Do unto others as you would have them do to you. I.e. mutual respect and tolerance.
2) In all actions first ask yourself, if everyone on the planet does what you about to do, would the planet be better off.

[Beliathon]

Two laws are good for me
1) Do unto others as you would have them do to you. I.e. mutual respect and tolerance.
2) In all actions first ask yourself, if everyone on the planet does what you about to do, would the planet be better off.

+1 but I would add it's our ethical duty to protect the free flow of information, especially for those beneath us in any information hierarchy.

[Tusk]

IMO the first tenant covers that

Edit, so does the second

[xhomerx10]

Two laws are good for me
1) Do unto others as you would have them do to you. I.e. mutual respect and tolerance.
2) In all actions first ask yourself, if everyone on the planet does what you about to do, would the planet be better off.

 2) I am about to unwatch this thread... yeah it's best for the planet.

[countryfree]

I wonder could a society survive and function well if it had these two laws:

1. Do as you said you would.
2. Do not impinge on private property or person.

All infringements of these laws should be decided by Jury.

How much does it cost to be part of that jury?
If I make some toxic nuclear waste in my backyard, is it OK if I dump it on a public beach?
If I have sex in the middle of street, then get drunk, is this OK?

The system you propose may work on a deserted island with only 2 people, but I don't think it would be appropriate for New York City.

[panju1]

I wonder could a society survive and function well if it had these two laws:

1. Do as you said you would.
2. Do not impinge on private property or person.

All infringements of these laws should be decided by Jury.

It seemed very simplistic and daft at first, but now I have thought about it a lot more I can see what he means.

There certainly does seem to be too much government and too many laws.

It would certainly put a lot of lawyers out of business. 
Wouldn't all copyrights, patents, etc. be left unprotected if we didn't have explicit laws?

[Chef Ramsay]

One concept is only needed: Do no harm. This covers every base. Mind your own business goes far too.

[bryant.coleman]

1. Love God above all things.
2. Love your neighbor as yourself.

The #1 rule has killed more people in the world, than Hitler, Stalin, Pol Pot, and Mao combined. Organizations such as the Islamic State and the New Tribes Mission are conducting genocide and ethnocide, all for the love of god. A world without the god and its followers will be a more peaceful place to live on.