When it comes to ethical reasoning there is no one correct way to go about solving an ethical dilemma. In the case of Plato, Martin Luther King Jr, and myself we all have different methods of solving such scenarios. Although each method may be similar and different, each are potentially effective in coming up with a probable solution. Due to varying beliefs and views on what goodness is, many opinions on ethical reasoning stray from how one individual views it from another. In terms of self acceptance with one’s weight or appearance Plato, MLK, and myself have their own route of establishing ethical reasoning when it comes to this well-known dilemma. After reading Plato’s The Apology I believe Socrates determines good action as improving your …show more content…
In my opinion, MLK would determine good action as treating others how you would want to be treated, especially in terms of equality, justice, and good deed. His ideas of good action are important in terms of not only doing the right thing but doing the right thing for the right reasons as well. He states “there is no greater treason than to do the right deed for the wrong reason” (Letter from Birmingham Jail, p. 271). King believes that it is important to do the right thing because you know that you should, not because someone else is telling you to do so. In addition, the ability to examine ourselves and determine when we need to make a change for the better is one value that I believe MLK would see as most important. King states “Our hope for creative living in this world house that we have inherited lies in our ability to re-establish the moral ends of our lives in personal character and social justice” (The World House, p. 277). MLK believes we have a responsibility not only to others but to ourselves to properly care and treat others with dignity and respect. “We cannot preserve self without being concerned about preserving other selves” (The World House, p. 282). This statement is most important in King’s values when it comes to the equal treatment of all. Not only because we should put others before ourselves but also to preserve our overall well-being through selfless acts. Finally, the most important state that MLK has in his writings is that it is a “God given right to be treated equally and to have the same rights” (Letter from Birmingham Jail, p. 260). This idea is most important in regards to this idea of ethical reasoning not only because we as humans have rights, but also because we should acknowledge those rights for all no matter their race, religion, gender, or
King, Jr. was a strong believer in the fact that every race should be treated equally to one another. As Edward Berry stated in his own Rhetorical Analysis, “Doing Time: King’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail””, King dreamed of a time where whites and blacks could be equal (111). Some of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s largest achievements through this movement where the March on Washington, the Montgomery Bus Boycott, and obviously the Birmingham Campaign. He gave his all into this movement and on April 4, 1969, at the young age of 39, was assassinated because of his belief in racial equality and gave his life for the Civil Rights Campaign. Like Martin Luther King said in his piece, “Letter from Birmingham Jail”, “I am compelled to carry the gospel of freedom far beyond my own hometown (1). And that he did. Which is one of the biggest reasons that he is so widely remembered in the United States of America and
The causes which Martin Luther King Jr and Edward Koiki Mabo were fighting for were similar in that they both wanted equality for races which were being mistreated.
King talks about Apostle Paul and how he left his village of Tarsus. He alludes to Apostle Paul because he carried on the gospel of Jesus Christ although most of the village did not agree with Christ. MLK explains how he is similar to Apostle Paul because he traveled to help the injustices in Birmingham. He said he’ll do the same as prophets at left their hometown to spread the belief of God farther. Martin Luther King isn’t worried about what others say about him. He knew that as long as he did right by God he was okay. The church tried to make King feel unwise because of his protests, but God says spread the word. He wants to help solve the injustices in Birmingham although that is not King’s hometown. I feel that MLK did the right thing. Nobody should feel like they are doing wrong when they are not. King did the genuine thing and spread the word about the unjust laws in Birmingham. At the end of the letter King sums it up by continuing to ask for forgiveness. He stays humble throughout everything that he talks about and refers
MLK will respond to the violent actions taken by the people or the government by showing them the capacity to endure suffering. MLK’s main goal is to gain civil rights with nonviolent protests. Their capacity to suffer is going to defeat the government and the people against them and they will win their freedom. MLK’s philosophy makes more sense for America because after learning that Gandhi freed a nation with nonviolence, it clearly stood out to MLK that nonviolence is the key.
Martin Luther King Jr. believed in transcendence, believing we all should be treated fairly and that right and wrong does exist. King’s critics violate non-contradiction, appropriate authority, and equivocation. The oppress gets freedom when they demand it. In Letter from Birmingham Jail, King uses evidence to prove his statements. King believed in just and unjust laws. To King a just law is a man-made code that squares with the moral law or the law of God. An unjust law is a code that is out of harmony with the moral law. Unjust laws can be broken if it’s something you believe in and needs to be stood up for, even if that are consequences that go along with your decision. King wanted better for African American and did not want them to suffer from unfair justice any longer. Dr. King was a motivational speaker who supported non-violence actions and believe that no man should fight with their hands but with their words. In Letter from Birmingham Jail, King is not only appealing to Christian Authorities but to other beliefs and religions also. King blames the regular white society instead of the powerful white supremacists because they were the ones that are not doing anything to help the blacks overcome the triumph. The legislator states that it is democratically correct that only the white can vote. The white individuals equivocate the word democratically saying that only whites can vote, when in reality anyone can vote. Just because a person makes a claim about the blacks, does not mean they have all of the credentials to make that direct claim. King refers to the bible and utilizes it in his letter by saying that by doing right and believing in God does not mean that the result will always be in your favor the first time around. King says that even though doing right is not always easy, we should not give up and continue to strive for the success that you
Most people tend to associate MLK as standing for African American rights, but I don’t exactly agree with this. He was so much more than that. His entire philosophy stands on not just the foundation that African Americans are equal or segregation is wrong, it stands on love and acceptance. This is a lesson he taught to everyone in America and countries around the world. Love is a lesson every race can learn. This is why I believe Martin Luther King Jr is the most influential person in history.
“We know through painful experience that freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed.” (King 3) MLK used logic to appeal to the clergymen in his “letter from a Birmingham Jail” as to explain the reasoning behind his actions. King quotes Thomas Jefferson as having said: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal ..." So, the question is not whether we will be extremists, but what kind of extremists we will be.” (King 6). King did this to give historical reference to show where he believed his movement would fit into the world’s timeline. One of the most significant documents in history was written from his jail cell using only his mind as a reference. This indicated that he was extremely well educated and that his beliefs were well grounded in reason. The manner of which MLK explained his belief of just versus unjust laws demonstrated that he knew exactly what he was doing. He was not a simple criminal, but a level-headed and educated man making rational decisions to further a cause. This validation really allowed him to explore all the benefits of civil disobedience. Due to his status, he was not to be simply cast off as some random
Many of Martin Luther King Jr.’s philosophical ideas stem from Socrates. Socrates has many ideas on disobedience, and how it relates to being just or unjust. Author Rex Martin dissects Socrates’ main idea on disobedience, in his journal Socrates on Disobedience to Law, “It is that, upon reaching man-hood, a citizen by the very fact of staying in a country agrees to abide by the following rule: If one cannot dissuade the authorities from an unjust law then one obeys” (127). Socrates is a firm believer on respecting the authority of the city. It may seem that Socrates argues to initiate a change, and if it fails the people must conform. Martin, however, does not believe that Socrates argues the people must simply adhere to all guidelines. He dives deeper into the mind of Socrates:
Malcolm X for example strived for the same thing as Dr. King, freedom. The difference is , is that although Malcolm X didn’t persuade or want violence , he didn’t care to stop it either. He believed in self defense for all African Americans and that self- preservation comes first. He says , "I don't mean go out and get violent; but at the same time you should never be nonviolent unless you run into some nonviolence. I'm nonviolent with those who are nonviolent with me. But when you drop that violence on me, then you've made me go insane, and I'm not responsible for what I do." People would look on this and make assumptions that every black leader or person strives to violence so why should Martin Luther King be any different. As proven by his speeches, points/views , belief, and demonstrations, he is/was a positive rebel that was heroic because he helped America’s
MLK was a selfless person because he cared about segregation and he knew there would be problems doing campaigns and standing up for what he believed in because of the color of his skin, he wanted everyone to be equal. “We must learn to be live together as brothers or perish together as fools.” King wanted to bring everyone together and not be separated by skin color. Being separated isn’t helping anybody and just made things worse and more complicated. Protesting MLK was non-violent, he made it clear while he was ion Birmingham jail because being destructive and cruel would not make matters better. Even while being help in prison he was still thinking about saving the people that believed in him.
King was an inspiration to all! I agree with Mr. King’s philosophy of civil disobedience and nonviolence. I agree with this because then you are just hating the enemy. I don’t think that you should fight hate with hate. If we fight like this then the result will just be even more hate. I think that Mr. King thought that we should fight peace with hate so that in the end peaceful will overpower the hate. MLK once said , “ I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.” Mr.King was also very brave to stand up for what he believed in and continuing to do this even after the threats he was getting. Know matter how bad he was being treated by white people he still picked up his head. Another quote that relates to what I am saying was also by MLK. “ Let no man pull you low enough to hate him.” - Martin Luther
2 values that Martin Luther king Jr felt that worth giving his life for were freedom and faith. Martin Luther king, Jr was arrested and sent to jail in Birmingham because he protested treatment of blacks against political demonstrations. He then published a letter in a newspaper declaring demonstrations for justice with his faith. He wrote that everyone has a right to break unjust laws and encouraged people to confront issues and put into practice rather than watching it from far away. He explained every details the reason of what he is doing and why he does this movement. He also focused on “nonviolent direct action” not “direct action”. He did not want people to fight each other violently based on Matthew 5:38-39 “you have heard that it
MLK is described as a man who was generally quiet and listened attentively as others talked. Ling (2002) states, “King had a remarkable ability to get people who would otherwise be constantly feuding to work together”. The key to a successful leader is bringing people together. King was able to bring people together and work together for an achievable goal. He could quiet crowds and calm them down to be more peaceful. He spoke on nonviolence as the better resolution. According to Ling (2002), “For King, leadership meant standing up for what he believed in and being a drum major for justice”. A leader is also one who can relate to people. King was able to relate to the people who spoke to therefore African Americans were more likely to listen and follow what King had to say. King was a leader because he challenged the status quo. He had the courage to stand up for what he believed, the rights of all people to fair and equal treatment.
Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. Believed in achieving equality through peaceful demonstrations: “Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred” (King, pg.3 ¶.1). He felt that equality had to be gained through honorable, civil ways otherwise those fighting for equality were no better than the slave owners. We can see this best when he says, “We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protests to degenerate into physical violence” (King, pg.3 ¶.2). MLK felt that it was in the best interests of all parties for black to integrate into society. A couple of his quotes that show this best are, “I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave-owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood” (King, pg.4 ¶.6). and “I have a dream that one day in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of interposition and nullification, one day right there in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers” (King, pg.5 ¶.2).
In the excerpt from Book II in Plato’s Republic the reader is exposed to Socrates’ firm belief that many forms of literature in their society should be heavily regulated and censored. In Book II Plato as Socrates delves further into his belief and gives many reasons for his argument that “establishing a censorship of writers of fiction” is a necessary ideal. The main reasons he gives to support his argument are the story's are a wrong depiction of the gods and the fact that young people will not be able to decipher what is real and what is fiction from these stories. Socrates states that many of these stories give an “erroneous representation of the gods.” The gods were a huge part of ancient culture, so any story Socrates saw as defaming