The Critique of Nonviolence: Martin Luther King, Jr., and Philosophy

Mark Christian Thompson's book examines Martin Luther King, Jr.'s philosophy through 1920s German academic debates on Being, gnosticism, existentialism, political theology, and sovereignty. It posits that King's understanding of divine love is a form of Heideggerian ontology articulated in the beloved community. The book tracks the presence of twentieth-century German philosophy and theology in King's thought and situates his ontology conceptually and socially in nonviolent protest. It reads King's Letter from a Birmingham Jail with Walter Benjamin's Critique of Violence to reveal the depth of his political-theological critique of police violence as the illegitimate appropriation of the racialized state of exception.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 232 pages
Publication date: 07 June 2022
Publisher: Stanford University Press

In his profound exploration of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s philosophical understanding of race, Mark Christian Thompson delves into the intricate tapestry of his thought. Through a meticulous examination of the 1920s German academic debates between renowned figures such as Martin Heidegger, Rudolf Bultmann, Hans Jonas, Carl Schmitt, Eric Voegelin, Hannah Arendt, and others, Thompson seeks to unravel the core of King's philosophical framework. This intellectual journey takes us deep into the realm of ontology, where King's perspective is illuminated by the profound insights of these scholars.

Thompson's analysis reveals that King's understanding of race is intricately woven with the philosophical concepts of Being, gnosticism, existentialism, political theology, and sovereignty. He delves into King's dissertation on Tillich, as well as other key texts from his speculative writings, sermons, and speeches, to articulate a unique form of Heideggerian ontology expressed through the concept of beloved community.

By tracing the influence of twentieth-century German philosophy and theology in King's thought, Thompson situates King's ontology conceptually and socially within the framework of nonviolent protest. He juxtaposes King's Letter from a Birmingham Jail (1963) with Walter Benjamin's Critique of Violence (1921) to unveil the profound political-theological critique that underlies King's opposition to racist police violence. Through this comparative analysis, Thompson demonstrates how King's ontology condemns the perpetual American state of racial exception, which allows for the unchecked perpetration of police violence against Black lives.

In his groundbreaking work, "The Critique of Nonviolence," Thompson offers a fresh perspective on Martin Luther King, Jr.'s philosophy, shedding light on the profound depths of his thought and his unwavering commitment to justice and equality. Through his meticulous exploration of German philosophy and theology, Thompson provides a valuable contribution to our understanding of King's legacy and his enduring impact on the world.

Weight: 360g
Dimension: 187 x 514 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781503632073