Comare and contrast `Plato`s Critos` to `King`s Letter`

br Compare and contrast `Plato`s Critos` to `King`s Letter`

Compare and Contrast `Plato`s Critos` to `King`s Letter`

Dr . Martin Luther King 's letter , addressed to "My Dear Fellow Clergymen " written while he was "confined here in the Birmingham city jail " represents an attempt by King to compel fellow clergymen who have been critical of his tactics in the pursuit of civil rights to join his cause . The letter also justifies the use of those tactics criticized by King 's fellow clergymen , and offers a spiritual and philosophical basis for King and his

fellow activists ' actions . In may ways , the letter is similar to the dialogue between Socrates and Crito in "The Crito " when Socrates is facing execution for his own civil activism and crimes of philosophical thought and action . Each of these documents represents the ethical , spiritual and social vision of these renowned thinkers and "revolutionaries " but the largest difference between the two men (and the resulting documents in question ) existed in a dichotomy of pure logic versus spiritual devotion and whether or not "unjust ' laws may be broken in the pursuit of justice

In the "Crito " Socrates refuses the help of those who wish to break him out of his prison and save his life . In refusing their aid , Socrates explains his reasons in a logical fashion based primarily on rationality and morality . He states "For I am and always have been one of those natures who must be guided by reason , whatever the reason may be which upon reflection appears to me to be the best and now that this fortune has come upon me , I cannot put away the reasons which I have before given : the principles which I have hitherto honored and revered I still honor , and unless we can find other and better principles on the instant (Crito

By contrast , King 's letter offers a rational , scholarly tone , but one which is tempered with religiosity and spiritual reference . The letter presents a rational appeal and an emotional appeal , which are united in historical allusion , Biblical reference and philosophical depth . King repeatedly appeals to a shared sense of religion in his letter he also cites Biblical examples to bolster his argument . Responding to the criticism that his actions and the actions of his followers , even though non-violent in practice , ultimately resulted in violence on the behalf of the white Southerners who beat and jailed the protestor (and sometimes lynched or otherwise killed African Americans , King compared the fight for civil rights with the fight of Jesus to spread the gospel "Isn 't this like condemning Jesus because his unique God-consciousness and never-ceasing devotion to God 's will precipitated the evil act of crucifixion ?[ .] Society must protect the robbed and punish the robber

Responding to accusations that he was an extremist , King retorted "Was not Jesus an extremist for love "Love your enemies , bless them that curse you , do good to them that hate you , and pray for them which despitefully use you , and persecute you...