MLK on Science, Technology, and Mankind
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is widely regarded as America’s pre-eminent advocate of nonviolence and one of the greatest leaders in world history. During the less than 13 years of Dr. King, Jr.’s leadership, from December 1955 until April 4, 1968, the American Civil Rights Movement achieved more genuine progress toward racial equality in America than the previous 350 years had produced. He was a man of genius thought, and strived to bring all together under peace.
“Through our scientific and technological genius, we’ve made of this world a neighborhood. And now through our moral and ethical commitment, we must make of it a brotherhood. We must all learn to live together as brothers—or we will all perish together as fools.
Drawing inspiration from both his Christian faith and the peaceful teachings of Mahatma Gandhi, Dr. King led a nonviolent movement. He led campaigns against poverty and international conflict, always maintaining fidelity to his principles that men and women everywhere, regardless of color or creed, are equal members of the human family. Martin Luther King Jr. quotes the need for science and morality- positing a potential complimentary relationship.
“Science investigates, religion interprets. Science gives man knowledge which is power, religion gives man wisdom which is control. Science deals mainly with facts, religion deals with values. The two are not rivals. They are complementary.”
In 1963, Dr. King was one of the driving forces behind the March for Jobs and Freedom, more commonly known as the “March on Washington,” which drew over a quarter-million people to the national mall. It was at this march that Dr. King delivered his famous “I Have a Dream” speech, which cemented his status as a social change leader and helped inspire the nation to act on civil rights. Dr. King was later named Time magazine’s “Man of the Year.” Later in 1964, at 35 years old, Martin Luther King, Jr. became the youngest person to win the Nobel Peace Prize.
“When we look at modern man, we have to face the fact…that modern man suffers from a kind of poverty of the spirit, which stands in glaring contrast to his scientific and technological abundance. We’ve learned to fly the air like birds, we’ve learned to swim the seas like fish, and yet we haven’t learned to walk the Earth as brothers and sisters.”
The problems of spiritual and moral lag, is discussed by Dr. King during his Nobel Peace Prize acceptance lecture. Our survival depends on solving these problems, King said. He added,
"The solution of these problems is in turn dependent upon man squaring his moral progress with his scientific progress, and learning the practical art of living in harmony."
King's words remain relevant today.