Title

Martin Luther King, Jr.: Jeffersonian; Champion of Natural Law Philosophy

Author

James M. Masnov

Faculty Sponsor

Mark Henkels

Abstract

Martin Luther King, Jr. is celebrated in mainstream American culture as a champion of the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. He is also lauded in the halls of academia for his growing political radicalism prior to his assassination in 1968. Neither view of the man, however, generally acknowledges his deep-rooted political philosophy of Natural Law. This aspect of King, which informed his civic protest, speeches, and political ideology, has been given short shrift in recent decades. While popular culture credits his integrity and intellectuals admire his advocacy for significant reforms in domestic and foreign policy, Martin Luther King, Jr.'s principle tenet has been largely removed from public memory. This should be corrected, as King's arguments for civil rights, including the right to protest and equal protection under the law, were steeped in Natural Law philosophy.

Subject

American Politics

Ethics and Political Philosophy

Intellectual History

Political History

Political Theory

United States History

Martin Luther King

Thomas Jefferson

Natural Law

Abraham Lincoln

Classical Liberalism

unalienable rights

Rights

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Type

Text

volume

6

Date Published

3/5/2018

Note

Mark Henkels

Alternative Title

Martin Luther King, Jr.: Jeffersonian

Identifier

pure/vol6/iss1/5

Language

eng