THE AMERICAN PROPHET: THE INFLUENCE OF THE PROPHETIC ON MARTIN LUTHER KING JR

Authors

  • David T. Ritchie Mercer University School of Law

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5380/rfdufpr.v49i0.17032

Keywords:

Martin Luther King Jr, Martin Buber, Direitos Civis, O Outro, Não-violência, Civil Rights, The other, Nonviolence

Abstract

The foundations of U.S. civil rights pioneer Martin Luther King Jr.’s thought are as varied
and diverse as his vision for a new American society. As a Baptist minister his ideas were of course
shaped by the Christian ideals of that faith. He was also influenced, however, by religious and secular
ideals from other traditions. In this article I discuss the effect of the work of the Jewish theologian and
social philosopher Martin Buber on King’s philosophy. In particular, I examine how Buber’s notion of
“the other” crept into King’s theories on social change and nonviolent action. This influence, while
noted by King himself, is not often discussed in the context of where King’s mature philosophical vision
came from. Consequently, an examination of this connection is vital to understanding both the genesis
and importance of King’s thought.

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How to Cite

Ritchie, D. T. (2009). THE AMERICAN PROPHET: THE INFLUENCE OF THE PROPHETIC ON MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. Revista Da Faculdade De Direito UFPR, 49. https://doi.org/10.5380/rfdufpr.v49i0.17032

Issue

Vol. 49 No. 0 (2009)

Section

Artigos

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