The Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change
Philosophy
Associated Archive Content : 603 results
"A Knock At Midnight"This is a draft of the sermon Dr. King wrote comparing a story from the Bible in St. Luke to the struggle to obtain equality and civil rights. |
1922 WorkDr. King identifies different philosophical points of Alfred North Whitehead's 1922 publication, titled "The Principle of Relativity with Applications to Physical Science." |
A Big Johnny Reb Special EditorialThe Big Johnny Reb Radio Show, a show syndicated throughout the State of Georgia, criticizes Dr. King for his position on the Vietnam War. The management of the radio station agrees with the view that too much American blood has been spilled, but they also state Dr. King should not denounce his own country's cause in the fight against Communism. |
A Brief Summary of Fifteen Years at MorehouseThis pamphlet is from Dr. King's undergraduate alma mater, Morehouse College. The President of the institute, Benjamin E. Mays, is the author of , "A Brief Summary of Fifteen Years at Morehouse" which outlines the progress made during his presidency. |
A Challenge to the Churches and SynagoguesIn this document, Dr. King addressed the Conference on Religion and Race in Chicago, Illinois. He reprimands the Church and Synagogue for being silent or being a "silent partner of the status quo." Dr. King tells them that they must recapture its focus on human rights or risk becoming irrelevant. In closing, Dr. King challenges himself along with these religious institutions to make a choice; either continue to follow the "status quo" or "give ourselves unreservedly to God and his kingdom." |
A Christmas SermonDr. King discusses the topics of peace, the state of mankind, and his vision for the future during the delivery of this sermon to the congregation of Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia. |
A Historian Looks at Our Political MoralityLiberal historian Henry Steele Commager writes on the political morality of the United States. He asserts that the United States is not above the historical tendency to become corrupt, and the issue will become more important as the United States grows more powerful. He argues that the United States must reconcile the "principles of law and of morality." |
A Tough Mind and A Tender HeartThis outline to Dr. King's sermon "A Tough Mind and a Tender Heart" focuses on the premise that being a tough minded individual involves making critical decisions. The sermon emphasizes that those who possess a soft mind tend to be gullible and strictly follow the status quo. According to Dr. King, "We must come to the realization that life demands a tough mind." |
A Tough Mind and A Tender HeartAn early foreshadowing of his nonviolent philosophy, Dr. King advises Negroes of a particular course of action they should adhere to in order to properly equip themselves to combat racial injustice. Seeking to avoid both complacency and hostility, he challenges those who desire self-satisfaction, as well as those who seek to pacify their oppressors, by proposing the idea of one having both a tough mind and a tender heart. |
A. N. WhiteheadDr. King quotes Alfred North Whitehead's view of the philosophy of science in The Concept of Nature. |
AbelardDr. King quotes 12th century French philosopher Peter Abelard on the relationship between doubt, inquiry and truth. |
Abelard on Universals and theMethod of DescartesDr. King references Peter Abelard, medieval French philosopher and theologian. He discerns that universals cannot be things or words. Rather, the universal is a concept. King maintains that this quandary is relevant to "Schoolmen" and particularly the dogma of the Church. He continues by also noting philosopher Rene Descartes, and that "he was at fault in overemphasizing mathematical method." |
Actual OccasionsDr. King quotes philosopher Alfred North Whitehead's "Religion in the Making." He interprets the phases in events and how such events are perceived. |
Address by MLK at SCLC Ministers ConferenceDr. King addresses those in attendance at the Southern Christian Ministers Conference. He brings words of encouragement to those working diligently for social change in Mississippi. He speaks words of promise that things will change since the Supreme Court has ruled segregation unconstitutional and he gives examples of how things are slowly changing. However, he acknowledges that there is still much work to be done, especially in the South. Dr. King lists actions that must be at the top of everyone's list to be taken care of. |
Advice for LivingDr. King addresses questions in the "Advice for Living" column published in Ebony Magazine on February 12, 1958. |
AgnosticismDr. King quotes Ernst Haeckel's "The Riddle of the Universe." |
AmericaDr. King quotes Reinhold Niebuhr's view in "The Irony of American History" that "the paradise of domestic security is suspended in a hell of global insecurity." |
AnaximanderDr. King documents background information on Greek philosopher Anaximander. Over five note cards, he outlines key principles of Anaximander's philosophy under the subject titles "Metaphysics" and "His Views on Biology." |
AnaximenesDr. King writes notes about the views of philosopher Anaximenes on the universe, comparing them to those of Thales and Anaximander. |
AnnihilationismDr. King defines annihilationism as a belief regarding the death of the wicked. |
Annual Address Delivered at the First Annual Institute on Nonviolence and Social ChangeDr. King's speech at the First Annual Institute of Non-Violence and Social Change addresses many issues regarding the African American. The most recurring issues are of obtaining and maintaining freedom, equality and personal dignity. |
Answer to a Perplexing QuestionDr. King preaches about faith, based on Matthew 17:14-20, and applies it to the Civil Rights Movement. He defines faith as cooperating with God by surrendering to God's will so that His strength may act freely through us. He asserts that faith, intellect, and work must blend together. |
AnthropologyDr. King outlines and references ideas on anthropology. |
AnxietyDr. King distinguishes anxiety from fear, noting that fear is directed toward things, while anxiety is directed toward nothingness. |
Appeal to Billy Graham Regarding ReligionMatakichi Saito questions Billy Graham about his views on religion as it relates to discrimination. |
Aquinas, ThomasDr. King notes biographical information about Thomas Aquinas. |
AristotleDr. King outlines some principles regarding Aristotelian philosophy. |
AristotleDr. King cites Aristotle's ideas regarding matter and form. |
Aristotle in ThomasDr. King outlines aspects of St. Thomas Aquinas' philosophy, which are structurally Aristotelian. Points he discusses include similarities between the two philosophers' ontology and epistemology, while also outlining a point of divergence in Aquinas' view of God as an "efficient cause." |
Aristotle's Answer to ParmenidesDr. King outlines Aristotle's response to Parmenides regarding being and nothingness. |