Question

Read the excerpt from Dr. Martin Luther King’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail.”

" To put it in the terms of St. Thomas Aquinas: An unjust law is a human law that is not rooted in eternal law and natural law. Any law that uplifts human personality is just. "

Why does King use this allusion?


a. to appeal to his critics’ sense of duty
b. to describe an historical precedent
c. to commemorate a famous leader
d. to encourage a consideration of ethics

Answer 1

The answer is: d. to encourage a consideration of ethics

In the excerpt from "Letter from Birmingham Jail," Dr. Martin Luther King makes an allusion or quick reference to St. Thomas Aquinas' words. Therein, the latter claimed that a wrongful law goes against the natural and eternal law of God. Therefore, King agrees with Aquinas that fair laws are those that elevate human traits, thus promoting moral principles of behavior.

Answer 2

D. To encourage a consideration of ethics

Thomas Aquinas (1224 approx - 1274) is regarded as one of the Catholic Church's greatest theologians and philosophers, and he has even been honored as a saint in 1323 and named Doctor of the Church in 1567. Likewise, many studying for the priesthood regards him as a great model.

Therefore, Martin Luther's allusion to Aquinas is intended to encourage consideration of ethics or moral principles through the strong example of the words held by someone who had this same set of moral principles or ethics that promoted justice.