The Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change
Note Cards
Education was essential in the development of the mind of Martin Luther King, Jr. From his matriculation at Morehouse College through his doctoral studies at Boston University, Dr. King took notes on various subjects and referenced some of the most important philosophers of all time. The note cards shown in this section give you a glimpse into the molding of one of the world’s most brilliant thinkers and orators. Religion, natural law, metaphysics and the meaning of wisdom are just a few of the topics highlighted. These subjects and many more helped Dr. King’s capacity to expand his intellectual and spiritual capacity three dimensionally.
Catholicism
Dr. King references American theologian Niebuhr's ideas regarding Catholicism and quotes, "It pretended that the church could mediate the divine, mercy and judgement without itself standing under that judgement or requiring that mercy." This quotes derives from Niebuhr's book "The Pope's Domesticated God."
Original Sin
Dr. King records his views regarding the doctrine of original sin.
Kierkegaard (Paradox)
Dr. King quotes Kierkegaard and comments on his view of paradox.
God (His Love)
Dr. King writes that the answer to F. W. H. Myers' question about whether the universe is friendly lies at the basis of religion. His cites E. C. Wilm's "The Problem of Religion."
Typical Theistic Personalism
Dr. King sketches notes on theistic personalism with references to Friedrich Leibniz, George Berkeley, Immanuel Kant, and Hermann Lotze.
Metaphysics
Dr. King notes William James' view of metaphysics.
Materialism
Dr. King references author Emil Carl Wilm's publication, "The Problem of Religion."
Schleiermacher (The Immanence of God)
Dr. King quotes Friedrich Schleiermacher’s “Speeches on Religion.” The full title of this work is “On Religion: Speeches to Its Cultured Despisers.”
Jesus Christ (good will)
Dr. King references H. Richard Niebuhr's statement, "Christ is the Rosetta Stone of Christianity." He also talks about archaeological discoveries and translating languages.
Religion (Definition)
Dr. King quotes from D. Miall Edwards’ “The Philosophy of Religion.” Miall is misspelled on the note card.
Dr. King cites Albert C. Knudson.
Dr. King cites Albert C. Knudson's Doctrine of Redemption as a source for Henri Bergson's view of free will.
Capitalism
Dr. King illustrates a relationship between capitalism and anarchism.
Social Justice
Dr. King notes that Isaiah 1:11-17 describes various forms of worship and declares that God will not hear them but demands righteousness and fulfillment of social obligations. He compares this passage with the prophet Amos.
Environmental Influence
Dr. King contemplates "environmental influence" by comparing Spencer and Darwin.
Sin (Augustine's definition)
Dr. King records a note on St. Augustine's definition sin, referencing passages from Reinhold Niebuhr's "The Nature and Destiny of Man: A Christian Interpretation," volume 1: "Human Nature."
Worship (Definition)
Dr. King quotes Henry Nelson Wieman's "Methods of Private Religious Living."
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