Birmingham Jail And Socrates Analysis

When analyzing the question in regards to Martin Luther King Jr.?s possible portrayal of Socrates, the extreme abundance of wisdom and passion towards their acknowledged purpose of life comes to mind. There are many different deceptions between Dr. King, an iconic, historical figure in American social injustice, and Socrates, an idolized founder of Western philosophy. Martin Luther King Jr. took initiative on developing equality amongst blacks and whites with a nonviolent campaign during the 1960?s. On the other hand, Socrates lived a life in Athens pleading his vision of social change through a method intended to publicize ignorance of one?s true knowledge. While comparing Dr. King?s Letter from Birmingham Jail and Plato?s dialogues on Socrates,

was in fact a modern day Socrates are the similar characteristics, beliefs and morals they each possessed. Within the differences apparent between the two, similar motives and thoughts presented themselves. Despite the differences in each process of action, both relatively sought out tension between there oppressors. In the Birmingham letter, Dr. King supports his notion of tension with a reference of Socrates. He additionally supports his belief by presenting how Socrates created tension inside the mind of an individual so they could rise from the bondage of myths. He uses Socrates?s approach of tension to justify his idea that proper tension is constructive and beneficial to growth. A important factor in my analysis is the respect Dr. King held for Socrates, his course of action was self-justified by similar antics Socrates had. On paper, the desired change of each person was extremely different as Socrates wanted Athens governed by philosophers and Dr. King dreamed of racial equality. The similarity is presented in fact that both Dr. King and Socrates acted upon what they envisioned and believed best for society. Socrates and Dr. King both expressed concern and need for change in religion, politics and the society. They also both acquired the perception of radical and extremist within the community and shared a unconditional passion for their personal goals. More similarities include the fact both were being wrongly accused and both reversed their accusations onto the accusers. In each defense, they both included universal concepts to define humanity and justice. Assumptively, Dr. King and Socrates felt their perspectives and actions to be morally just but both displayed an undoubtable similarity of injustice on society. When acting upon their desires both results in the creation of the oppressor and the oppressed group which is detrimental to a society, not beneficial. This act of injustice can