StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...
Free

Examining the Lives of Socrates, Martin Luther King, and Malcolm X - Essay Example

Cite this document
Summary
"Examining the Lives of Socrates, Martin Luther King, and Malcolm X" paper considers the nature of these men’s lives it’s difficult not to feel awed at the tremendous contributions they gave to society. In all these instances, the men died as a direct result of their beliefs…
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER93.9% of users find it useful
Examining the Lives of Socrates, Martin Luther King, and Malcolm X
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "Examining the Lives of Socrates, Martin Luther King, and Malcolm X"

 In the case of Socrates, it was his influence on the Athenian youth that upset the upper-level powers that ultimately put him to death. In the instances of Dr. King and Malcolm X, they work towards upsetting the status quo through fighting, albeit in different ways, for equal rights.

In Letters from a Birmingham Jail, Martin Luther King Jr. speaks of a creative tension that must exist for true social progress to occur. In discussing this creative tension, King has been addressing criticism he has received for protests in which took part in with which he has been imprisoned for. The general theme of his letter is to address the reasons for this non-violent protest. When he reaches the part that refers to creative tension, he is actually referring to the necessity of protest to bring individuals to the negotiating table.

This is in essence the creative tension that King is referring to; it is not a violent way of sparking negotiation or change, but a non-violent yet direct means of creatively producing tension in the social environment so that political powers will take notice and engage in meaningful discussion. C) Creative tension is demonstrated in both the lives of Socrates and Martin Luther King Jr. As is noted above, Martin Luther King’s understanding of creative tension is a non-violent protest that leads to the implementation of social change.

In ‘Letters from a Birmingham Jail’ King brilliantly elucidates his stance on this issue as he demonstrates the reasons behind his engaging in the non-violent protest, One of the basic points in your statement is that the action that I and my associates have taken in Birmingham is untimely. Some have asked: "Why didn't you give the new city administration time to act?" The only answer that I can give to this query is that the new Birmingham administration must be prodded about as much as the outgoing one before it will act.

We are sadly mistaken if we feel that the election of Albert Boutwell as mayor will bring the millennium to Birmingham (King). Here King is demonstrating that the protest was necessary so that the mayor would agree to negotiate. In Socrates, one sees a slightly different incarnation of creative tension. Both Socrates and Dr. King demonstrate a willingness to challenge society based on a belief that there are aspects of the social order that must be overturned to enact a more fair and balanced means of existence.

In the Apology, Socrates states, For know that this is the command of God; and I believe that no greater good has ever happened in the state than my service to the God. For I do nothing but go about persuading you all, old and young alike, not to take thought for your persons or your properties, but first and chiefly to care about the greatest improvement of the soul (Plato 30a). In these regards, Socrates' version of creative tension is much more closely linked to a belief in a higher state of consciousness that must be followed rather than the constructs of the social order.

While Socrates is speaking to society at large, his message of creative tension is ultimately a more personal one. Socrates is indicating that one should improve their soul and follow this path to genuine existence and knowledge even at the cost of death. D) When considering Malcolm X, one notes that his ultimate goal is similar to Dr. King’s in that both men desire equal rights for the races. With Malcolm X, the main difference is his extremity, as he believes this should be achieved at all costs, even violence. 

Read More
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(“Philosophy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 2”, n.d.)
Retrieved from https://studentshare.org/environmental-studies/1416365-philosophy
(Philosophy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 Words - 2)
https://studentshare.org/environmental-studies/1416365-philosophy.
“Philosophy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 Words - 2”, n.d. https://studentshare.org/environmental-studies/1416365-philosophy.
  • Cited: 0 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF Examining the Lives of Socrates, Martin Luther King, and Malcolm X

Socrates and Martin Luther King and Malcolm X

This essay "Socrates and martin luther king and malcolm x" are about the leaders, namely, Socrates and martin luther king and malcolm x are addressing the concerns of individuals who are in displeasure able situation and seek a solution to end their misery.... In the context of this literature, the leaders, namely, Socrates and martin luther king and MalcolmX are addressing the concerns of individuals who are in a displeasure able situation and seek a solution to end their misery....
4 Pages (1000 words) Essay

Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X

and malcolm x'' tells us that Martin Luther King Jr.... and malcolm x were two reputed leaders of American awareness.... This paper ''martin luther king Jr.... martin luther king Jr.... On the other hand martin luther king Jr.... martin luther king Jr.... Unlike martin luther king who preached in favor of equality in terms of access to privileges and basic amenities in tactful yet persuasive manner, Malcom X was strongly anti-white in t\his disposition especially in early days....
6 Pages (1500 words) Essay

Martin Luther and Malcolm X

Martin Luther and malcolm x had both similarities and differences in the beliefs and views on the civil rights movements; moreover, the differences stemmed from the different backgrounds that the two leaders experienced thus; the differences reflected in their views.... and malcolm x on the civil-rights movement, which they led in the 20th century.... As a result, it is the goal of this essay to compare and contrast the views of martin luther king Jr....
3 Pages (750 words) Essay

Compare & Contrast essay between Malcolm X and Marthin Luther King

Both martin luther king and malcolm x had tangible effects in which their followers were to pursue in order to attain equal rights.... Author's Name Date Malcolm X and Martin Luther King It was in the 1960s that Martin Luther and malcolm x came out representing the fight for civil rights in two different ways.... However, Martin and malcolm x spoke to all humanity about being equal, and they fought for the same cause of having equality between the blacks and whites....
4 Pages (1000 words) Essay

The Contrast Between Martin Luther King and Malcolm X

The paper "The Contrast Between martin luther king and malcolm x" highlights that Malcolm's exclusively black approach to the racial inequality problem may have in the end, achieved the equality he dreamed of; on the other hand, it would likely have deeply divided.... martin luther king and Malcom X are two of the greatest names in the fight for black equality and opposition of white supremacy; however, they are as different as two men with a common agenda can be....
3 Pages (750 words) Essay

Martin Luther King and Malcolm X

The author of this essay "martin luther king and malcolm x" provides the contrasts of the personalities and achievements of the two heavyweights of the African-American liberation movement in the America of the 1960's, Martin Luther King, Jr.... martin luther king and malcolm x -A STUDY IN CONTRAST Introduction: This paper presents the contrasts in the personalities and achievements of the two heavyweights of the African -American liberation movement in the America of the 1960's, Martin Luther King, Jr....
2 Pages (500 words) Essay

Socrates and Martin Luther King

I support martin luther king's view that civil disobedience is just in the face of unjust laws.... Socrates and martin luther king I support martin luther king's view that civil disobedience is just in the face of unjust laws.... Finally, martin luther king was younger than Socrates.... Blessed Are the Peacemakers: martin luther king, Jr.... Although Socrates felt that serving an unjust sentence was just, king's answer is better....
2 Pages (500 words) Essay

Martin Luther King and Malcolm X

?? The article focuses on Malcolm X and martin luther king because they represent two different approaches to attaining a common goal.... Although malcolm x and King used the black society, they had their own notions of how to deal and stop racism because malcolm x favored the use of violence while King acknowledged the need use a nonviolent approach.... King in his essay suggests a peaceful revolution although he is aware of eminent violence if peaceful demonstrations are unheeded; however, malcolm x uses a direct and an aggressive approach in his article....
4 Pages (1000 words) Essay
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us