Essay Comparing Nietzsche And Martin Luther King

Oppositely influenced by Nietzsche’s thoughts on Christianity it is no surprise concepts used in Martin Luther King Jr.’s Letter from Birmingham Jail can be differentiated between Nietzsche’s Beyond Good and Evil. Nietzsche believed that people in charge set the rules for master and slave morality, he also believed that Christianity is a form of slave morality. Nietzsche thought people should only be treated equal as long as they are equal in force and talent. King argues that Christianity to him means that we are all as people equal to one another.

Nietzsche thought nobility was to see one’s self as the center and origin of value. He believed that people in power force common people into bidding their will, and those in charge are separated based on good or bad measures of their value. The rulers, or people in charge have master morality, the people who do their bidding have slave morality. Slave morality is how common people make their lives more bearable by using Christian ethics such as kindness and sympathy.

Nietzsche uses a subjectivity fallacy, also known as a relativist fallacy. A subjectivity fallacy means if

someone questions or has a different opinion on the truth about a claim it does not affect the level of truth the claim holds. Nietzsche uses subjectivity in part one and two of Beyond Good and Evil when he discusses former philosophers views on truth, and the development of more open-minded philosophers.

Martin Luther King was a man who looked for influential ideas for equality among many philosophers and famous non-violent activists. King stated that some of his first philosophy readings were of Nietzsche’s writings. He commended him for opening his mind to new ideas, and helping him realize the power of Christian’s love. However, Nietzsche believed that Christianity is a weakness.

Martin Luther King used many either/or fallacies when discussing time and extremism to persuade the clergy men he wrote to agree with his stance, and to push the non-violence action of the civil right movement. King’s use of the either/or fallacy to help readers choose sides on the issue. He most effectively uses this fallacy when trying to convince Christians to side with him and take direct action, or disobey the Christian beliefs. In response to a Texas man’s critique he used the either/or fallacy to convince others into believing in his side. Martin Luther King’s arguments about the civil rights movement are very compelling, and with his use of fallacies and examples, he makes a strong point to his audience.

Both Nietzsche and Martin Luther King are strong writers, and I agree with aspects of both works.

However, Nietzsche’s idea of the powerful forcing their will on common people resonates with me. It is something we see in our modern society, wealthy people seem to have a higher influence over the average American. Examples of powerful people controlling others are found in politics, economy, media, and religion. Common people are lead to think in certain ways that the powerful need them to. Nietzsche said that people will only be equal as long as they are equal in force and talent, people who have a higher social group are more influential in decisions because average people look to them for information. The thing I do not agree with Nietzsche on his view as Christianity as a weakness because religion is a main cause of people’s decision

making.