Human beings are different by nature not only in character, but also in logic. Therefore, a single issue can generate many arguments each with a different perspective. However, it is how one defends his or her own view that matters.
Philosophers in particular are known to have diverse views regarding different issues including life and death. Plato’s apology and Crito dialogue as well as Martin Luther King Jr.’s letter from Birmingham jail are examples of such diverse philosophical views. It is important to note that in all texts writers do not give direct meaning in their arguments.
Plato talks about death in the apology. He views death as an imminent and only savior that will separate philosophers from the lies and inequities of the world. Philosophers should not be happy with the desires of the body such as food, clothes and other materialistic things.
Consequently, they should be ready to extricate themselves from the body. Accordingly, Plato views death as a separation of the body and the soul. While the body is finite and has no use after death, the soul is immortal and is the only useful part of a philosopher.
Bodily desires and conclusions are regarded as inaccurate and misleading as far as a philosopher’s quest for truth is concerned (Storck, 2009). In this regard, the best realities of life, as well as the truth, are better approached in thought alone.
Practicing death will make people approach issues more confidently because they will have nothing to fear. The fear of death is what makes many people fear saying the truth. Consequently, when one is not afraid of death, he or she can be ready to say the truth boldly without fear or favor.
Similarly, practicing death will help one approach issues more objectively knowing that the body interferes with one’s judgment. This is the same view held by Socrates in Crito. Socrates is not afraid of death even when it is imminent. He chooses to follow the law and act justly.
Plato gives real life examples of how practicing death is vital to philosophers’ lives and to all human beings. Arguably, death is imminent in any human being’s life, whether one prepares for it or not. Therefore, instead of living in fear of something that cannot be avoided, it is sensible to be ready for it, as and when it comes.
In the letter from Birmingham Jail King also exudes confidence against death. This seems to be the reason behind his determination. He also urges Black Americans not to fear.
In the letter from Birmingham Jail, Martin Luther King Jr. seeks to answer the clergymen who wrote to condemn the Birmingham march. King states that it was the duty of the black people to fight against injustice that was being committed against them.
He highlights that he is ready to fight against discrimination not only in Birmingham, but also in any part of America. The clergy who wrote the letter call King an extremist. He, however, answers them by stating that all great men in history have been referred to as extremists (Kessler, 2011).
According to King, the authorities had broken too many promises and time for action had come. People could not just sit down and watch their rights being taken away. King takes it upon himself to stand up and lead the Afro-Americans in their fight for equality.
As King argues, everybody has a moral duty of fighting against violations of human rights. There is no way, in which any person can justify a law that discriminates against other people. King is also clear that fear is an enemy of progress in the society. King follows Socrates’ creed of always doing the right thing even in the face of danger.
Just as Socrates is willing to die rather than escape from jail, so is King willing to die for social justice. Nevertheless, the view held by King is different from that held by Plato in the apology. While King does not advocate for violence which will inevitably lead to death, Plato wants everybody to be prepared for death.
Crito is a dialogue between Socrates and his friend Crito who wants to organize Socrates’ escape from the jail. Socrates’ day of excitation is approaching. However, Crito wants to help him to avoid being ridiculed by people for failing to save his friend from the hangman (Plato, 2009).
This proves that Crito is not doing what is right but what will make people of the town happy. However, Socrates turns down the offer arguing that he is ready to die. He reiterates his earlier stand that he does not fear to die. The dialogue continues with Socrates telling Crito that people should respect justice and apply reason in all that they do.
Crito argues that the enemies of Socrates want to see him dead. If Socrates agrees to stay and be executed, then he would help his enemies achieve their goal. As a result, Crito proposes that Socrates should put up a fight by fleeing from the jail.
Socrates does not agree with Crito’s view (Plato, 2009). He questions whether justice will be served if he escapes from the jail just because the ruling has been wrong.
Socrates states that injustice cannot be an excuse for people to behave badly. One should not use unfair methods to counter injustice. He declines to escape from the jail because that is against the law. He does not mean that he has wronged anybody and deserves to die.
He rather does not think it is right to go against the law. This view is different from the one held by King Jr. who does not believe one should run away from his problems. According to Socrates, each citizen should follow the law even when he or she is treated unfairly. The view held is the same as the view held in the apology.
It was Socrates believe that if one leads a good live he or she cannot be harmed, not even in death. However, Socrates’ decision to die in Athens just because he did not want to go against the law was against the logic that he so often advocated for. He should have escaped and help fight injustice from a different part of the world.
Moreover, though Socrates fought to ensure that his emotions do not cloud his decision, the decision to die instead of escaping is clearly emotional. However, the three texts have a similar view as regards death. People should not fear death if at all they want to make an impact in the world.
It should however be noted that it is difficult to tell whether the apology is an original account or just a philosophical view. Moreover, Plato does not give enough information why people should not fear death. Nonetheless, King says that violence is inevitable if they fail to get what they want through non-violent means.
It is important to note that this statement is an indirect justification for violence. Consequently, it is impossible to tell King’s specific intentions in this letter.
References
Kessler, G. E. (2011). Voices of Wisdom: A Multicultural Philosophy Reader. Starnford: Cengage Learning.
Plato. (2009).FiveGreat Dialogues of Plato: Euthphro, Apology, Crito, Meno, Phaedo.Claremont: Coyote Canyon Press.
Storck, G. (2009). The Apology of Plato. Charleston: BiBlioBazaar.