Martin Luther King and Socrates

Paper Summary:

This paper examines Socrates' "Crito" and Dr. King's "Letter From Birmingham Jail" in order to compare their stances on civil disobedience. It argues that under certain circumstances and conditions, a person is morally justified, if not required, to disobey unjust laws as a symbol of civil disobedience, provided that such action does not harm anyone in the process. It looks at how clearly, Dr. King's methods did bring about equality for not just African-Americans but for all Americans, while nothing changed in the case of Socrates who finally was executed.

From the Paper:

"In contrast to Dr. King's views on just and unjust laws as they relate to civil disobedience, Socrates, upon considering Crito's suggestion that he escape from prison (interestingly, both King and Socrates are in jail for almost the exact same reason, namely, civil disobedience), rejects Crito's proposal and then offers his personal opinions on the matter. First, Socrates declares that "to escape is neither just nor is it good" for himself, reference to his agreement with the officials in the Greek city of Athens to obey their laws at all times as a citizen. Socrates adds that escape is not to his benefit because "he who does wrong cannot live well" and "if one cannot live well, life is not worth living" ("Plato's Crito," Internet). "

Sample of Sources Used:

• Berman, Robert. "Plato's Crito: Text Outline." Internet. 2006. Retrieved from http:// webusers.xula.edu/rberman/Crito.htm.
• "Martin Luther King's Letter from Birmingham Jail." Internet. 2006. Retrieved from http:// almaz.com/nobel/peace/MLK-jail.html.

More papers on Martin Luther King and Socrates:

• Analytical Essay # 62607 : "Plato, Thoreau and King"
• Essay # 53790 : "Free Will, Morality, and Human Law"
• Analytical Essay # 141701 : "Civil Disobedience and Justness"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: