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.
William James
Dr. King briefly discusses philosopher William James and his lectures entitled "The Variety of Religious Experience."
Some Things We Can Do
In this series of note cards entitled "Some Things We Can Do," Dr. King provides several suggestions pertaining to the African American community.
Anaximenes
Dr. King writes notes about the views of philosopher Anaximenes on the universe, comparing them to those of Thales and Anaximander.
Immortality
Dr. King highlights a quote from Harry Emerson Fosdick's book "Assurance of Immortality."
Comte (A Criticism by Dr. R. flint)
Dr. King quotes a statement from Robert Flint's "Philosophy of History in France and Germany" which criticizes French philosopher, August Comte. Robert Flint was a Scottish philosopher.
Augustine's Doctrine of Evil
Dr. King cites Albert Knudson's "The Doctrine of Redemption.
History: Voltaire
Dr. King references a quote from the philosopher and historian Voltaire.
Conscience
Dr. King ponders the meaning of the word 'conscience.' He questions the nature of conscience and ultimately sees it as a necessary sense of obligation that makes a difference in the life of a civilization.
Job and Suffering
Dr. King writes on the biblical figure Job and his view of suffering.
Otherworldliness
Dr. King quotes the Epistle of Clement and Friedrich von Hügel's "Eternal Life."
Barth, Karl
Dr. King comments on Karl Barth's view that Christ assumed fallen human nature.
Jesus: Mission
Dr. King notes passages in Matthew and Luke related to Jesus' mission.
Self-World
Dr. King paraphrases Paul Tillich's view on the "self world polarity." Being a self, Dr. King writes, means being "both subject and object." This subject matter later appeared in Dr. King's dissertation "A Comparison of the Conceptions of God in the Thinking of Paul Tillich and Henry Nelson Wieman."
Original Sin
From "The Epistle of the Romans," Dr. King records Karl Barth's observations regarding original sin, which are compared to views of the Bible, Saint Augustine and the Reformers.
Godm (Micah)
Dr. King refers to the biblical book of Micah to write about Micah and Hosea's similar reference to the strength of the love of God.
Evil (The Problem of)
Dr. King records thoughts on the problem of evil with references to the British philosopher John Stuart Mill and Job.
Ritschl (God)
Dr. King quotes Albrecht Ritschl’s “The Christian Doctrine of Justification and Reconciliation.”
Humanism (15th Century)
Dr. King reflects on a classical approach to learning.
God (His Existence)
Change title to conform to Dr. King’s filing system.
Schleiermacher
Dr. King quotes Friedrich Schleiermacher's "Speeches on Religion" on temporal things so filling people's minds that they don't have room for the eternal. He contrasts this with pantheism. The full title of this work is "On Religion: Speeches to Its Cultured Despisers."
Job, Ecclesiastes and Daniel
Dr. King quotes several scriptures from the biblical Books of Job, Ecclesiastes and Daniel concerning each author's views on mortality and immortality.
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