Final answer:
Martin Luther King Jr. justified civil disobedience by emphasizing the distinction between just and unjust laws, advocating for nonviolent action, and accepting the consequences of lawbreaking to express opposition to unjust laws without causing anarchy.
Step-by-step explanation:
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. justified civil disobedience by distinguishing just laws from unjust laws, promoting nonviolent action to drive social change. First, King held that individuals have a moral responsibility to break unjust laws and to take direct action to correct them. He believed that breaking such laws was justified when done openly, lovingly, and with a willingness to accept the penalty. Secondly, King argued that nonviolent civil disobedience was productive and could bring about positive change without leading to anarchy if it adhered to the principles of being peaceful and principled, aimed at protesting against unjust laws rather than the law per se, and maintaining respect for the rule of law in general.
For King, a law could be disobeyed without leading to anarchy by ensuring that such acts of disobedience are carried out in a nonviolent manner, with an understanding that those participating are willing to face the consequences of their actions to highlight the injustice. This creates a dialogue and raises public awareness about the need for change, thereby submitting to the law's authority while also resisting its injustice.