"To hear" expresses the involuntary action of picking up sounds by the ear, so it is a natural ability. "To listen", in turn, denotes effort to focus or pay attention. As Joseph was silent (not talking), not paying attention (undestanding) to the teacher, he was just hearing.
Laws protect not only peoples safety, but their right as well. If laws were to not exist the world would be in total meltdown (just like the purge all the time).
